London's Open House festival, which took place this weekend, affords Londoners the chance to nose around some of the UK capital's private and public houses, like this remodeled Victorian terraced family house in east London.
London's Open House weekend —
London's Open House festival, which took place this weekend, affords Londoners the chance to nose around some of the UK capital's private and public houses, like this remodeled Victorian terraced family house in east London.
George Webster
Owner, James Wright was giving scheduled tours of his converted Victorian home, which is distinctive for its sleek and minimalist interior.
Parkholme Road, Hackney —
Owner, James Wright was giving scheduled tours of his converted Victorian home, which is distinctive for its sleek and minimalist interior.
Courtesy Rogan MacDonal
Situated in the trendy borough of Hackney, this house designed by Marcus Lee incorporates thermal efficiency, solar heating and water recycling throughout the original structure.
Rowe Lane, Hackney —
Situated in the trendy borough of Hackney, this house designed by Marcus Lee incorporates thermal efficiency, solar heating and water recycling throughout the original structure.
George Webster
Sutton House was built in 1535, when King Henry VIII ruled over England and this part of London -- now busy with cars and tower blocks -- was set against miles of open grassland.
Sutton House, Hackney —
Sutton House was built in 1535, when King Henry VIII ruled over England and this part of London -- now busy with cars and tower blocks -- was set against miles of open grassland.
©National Trust Images/Dennis Gilbert
One of the first Tudor homes to be made from brick, many of its original features -- including a vast stone fireplace and a wall of intricately carved dark wood panels -- remain to this day.
Sutton House, Hackney —
One of the first Tudor homes to be made from brick, many of its original features -- including a vast stone fireplace and a wall of intricately carved dark wood panels -- remain to this day.
©National Trust Images/Dennis Gilbert
Open House weekend celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. Hundreds of the city's most intriguing and architecturally significant buildings were open to the public, free of charge. Pictured here, a mixed-use development at the heart of a <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kingscrosscentral.com%2Fgranarysquare" target="_blank" target="_blank">historic railway goods yard</a> in King's Cross, where several new sustainably-built homes were on show.
The Granary, King's Cross —
Open House weekend celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. Hundreds of the city's most intriguing and architecturally significant buildings were open to the public, free of charge. Pictured here, a mixed-use development at the heart of a historic railway goods yard in King's Cross, where several new sustainably-built homes were on show.
Courtesy John Sturrock
A <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sundridgepark.com%2F" target="_blank">grand and imposing mansion</a> built by Regency-era architect John Nash in 1797. Private homes, workplaces, government buildings, historical sites, educational establishments and many others -- most of which are not otherwise open to the public -- allowed locals and tourists alike a rare glimpse into their interiors.
Sundridge Park, Bromley —
A grand and imposing mansion built by Regency-era architect John Nash in 1797. Private homes, workplaces, government buildings, historical sites, educational establishments and many others -- most of which are not otherwise open to the public -- allowed locals and tourists alike a rare glimpse into their interiors.
Courtesy Sundridge Park
Some of London's sacred spaces were also on display. This <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.svnuk.org%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">beautifully carved Hindu temple</a> was opened in 2010 after 14 years of intricate construction. Made from imported Indian limestone, hand-carved in India and shipped to London for assembly by expert craftsmen, the construction is based on ancient Hindu scriptures.
Shree Sanatan Hindu Mandir, Wembley —
Some of London's sacred spaces were also on display. This beautifully carved Hindu temple was opened in 2010 after 14 years of intricate construction. Made from imported Indian limestone, hand-carved in India and shipped to London for assembly by expert craftsmen, the construction is based on ancient Hindu scriptures.
Courtesy Open House London
Scattered across the breadth of London, the 750 Open House venues represent a cross-section of the city's architectural heritage, from timber-framed Tudor dwellings to the latest steel-clad contemporary towers. This restoration of a five-storey Victorian granary with its adjacent bronze-coated extension is a neat embodiment of both old and new.
Barking Granary, Barking —
Scattered across the breadth of London, the 750 Open House venues represent a cross-section of the city's architectural heritage, from timber-framed Tudor dwellings to the latest steel-clad contemporary towers. This restoration of a five-storey Victorian granary with its adjacent bronze-coated extension is a neat embodiment of both old and new.
Courtesy Tim Crocker
Among some of the award-winning structures on show were this timber-built "floating" garden studio. The building is a recent winner of the New London Architecture "Don't Move, Improve" award for best home extension.
Suburbanstudio, Enfield —
Among some of the award-winning structures on show were this timber-built "floating" garden studio. The building is a recent winner of the New London Architecture "Don't Move, Improve" award for best home extension.
Credit Ashton Porter
Those keen to soak up some post-Olympic atmosphere had the chance to see some of the event's <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacestudios.org.uk%2Fwhats-on%2Fthe-white-building" target="_blank" target="_blank">"legacy" building projects</a>. Here, a former printworks on the canal opposite the Olympic Park has been converted into a cultural center with artist studios, events space, cafe and microbrewery.
White Building, Hackney —
Those keen to soak up some post-Olympic atmosphere had the chance to see some of the event's "legacy" building projects. Here, a former printworks on the canal opposite the Olympic Park has been converted into a cultural center with artist studios, events space, cafe and microbrewery.
Courtesy Will Pryce
Those prepared to travel to London's farthest-flung quarters were well rewarded. The only house <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationaltrust.org.uk%2Fredhouse%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">commissioned, created and lived in by William Morris</a>, founder of the Arts and Crafts movement -- with much original detail still in tact -- was open for all to see in Bexleyheath, south-east London.
Red House, Bexleyheath —
Those prepared to travel to London's farthest-flung quarters were well rewarded. The only house commissioned, created and lived in by William Morris, founder of the Arts and Crafts movement -- with much original detail still in tact -- was open for all to see in Bexleyheath, south-east London.
Courtesy ntpl