Open House This Weekend in Hammersmith
A rare opportunity to view some of the area's architectural gems
This weekend (21st September - 22nd September) a wide range of the most architecturally interesting buildings in Hammersmith are taking part in Open House London. They will be giving members of the public a rare opportunity to view parts of the buildings that are not normally accessible at no charge. Most tours operate on a first come, first serve basis.
Kelmscott House, the home of the William Morris Society at 26 Upper Mall, W6 9TA will be holding regular tours organised by the Society from 11am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday. The house the residence of Sir Francis Ronalds, George MacDonald and (from 1878-96) William Morris.
Emery Walker's House, at 7 Hammersmith Terrace, W6 9TS, was the home of Emery Walker, printer, antiquary and mentor to William Morris. A unique Arts and Crafts domestic interior. On Sunday from 11am to 4pm there will be regular tours on the history and architecture of the house, first come basis.
Latymer Upper School will be opening its Science/Library Building on Saturday from 12pm to 4pm. It is the fourth building in a masterplan for the school site housing 3 floors of science accommodation with 13 high spec laboratories. Incorporates new library on ground floor with full height windows. Sustainable features include in-slab cooling.
Palace Wharf, a landmark building on the river at Rainville Road was built as a wharf for marble importing (1907), later a decorative plaster works, now artists' studios with river frontage. It is open on both Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 6pm.
Hammersmith Quaker Meeting House at 20 Nigel Playfair Avenue, W6 9JY is the last example of post-war Quaker meeting design in London built in 17C-18C style. It is to be demolished and redeveloped to civic-commercial building in 2015.
On Saturday it is open from 10am to 5pm and an architect will be onsite from 2-4pm. On Sunday it is open from 1pm to 5pm.
On both days there will be 'Peaceful Pods' activities for families and children from 1pm to 4pm.
St Andrew's Church and Star Community Centre on Greyhound Road, W14 9SA is striking and impeccable restoration and contemporary renewal of Victorian Arts & Crafts church. Newly commissioned artworks to see include a beautiful hanging icon by Guido de Costanzo and limestone font by Anna Sikorska.
It is open on both Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm.
Colet House on Talgarth Road, W14 9DA, is a unique building for artists with three large studios, all with north light through expansive windows. It is open on Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
Maggie's Centre at Charing Cross Hospital is a non-institutional 'open house', a flexible space designed to be welcoming, uplifting and thought-provoking. The raised roof allows natural light to enter the whole of the building. Partitions divide up the open structure, placing the kitchen at the heart of the building. RIBA Award Winner 2009. You can visit this between 12pm and 4pm on Sunday.
LAMDA (The London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art) on Talgarth Road is holding and open day on Sunday from 10am to 4pm. LAMDA's home since 2003, the site consists of Victorian building with more recent extensions - including black box studio theatre and rehearsal rooms. Work begins on £18.4m redevelopment of the West end of campus in 2014 to include new rehearsal studios and 200-seat theatre. There will be regular student led tours. Family activities include drama games workshops (11am and 1pm) and special effects make-up demos (12pm and 2pm.)
St Paul's Church on Queen Caroline Street is built in the early English Gothic Style with lancet windows, powerful buttresses, high roof and imposing tower. It contains 17C and 18C monuments and is Grade II* listed. Now comprehensively reimagined and restored. It can be seen on Saturday from 10am to 1pm.
Rogers Stirk Harbour Partners at Thames Wharf Studios, Rainville Road, W6 9HA, is a RIBA award winning architects practice located in early 20C warehouses, overlooking the River Thames - formerly used to store oil tanks. A new spectacular two storey lightweight roof was added in 1989. Architect led tours are being held on a regular basis from 10am to 4pm.
The events are organised by London Open House, an architectural education charity which has four principal objectives:
• To foster public awareness and understanding of London's built environment and architecture by means of direct access, experience and debate.
• To promote an understanding of architecture and the public environment across all sections of the community, particularly with children and young people
• To encourage civic pride amongst the capital's residential and business community
• To promote visual literacy and citizenship through the medium of architectural appreciation and understanding.
September 17, 2013