OPEN HOUSE LONDON 2021: Three to see
Festival head Siân Milliner reveals the must-visit buildings to book for this year’s event
1. The Centre Building at LSE
Featuring a staircase that moves diagonally across its façade, this flexible and collaborative space was designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners. London School of Economics’ staff, students and visitors voted overwhelmingly for this design from a shortlist. As well as being highly sustainable, it also has three roof terraces that offer great views of the river, the City of London and Westminster.
2. The Wilds at Barking Riverside
This new ecology centre is on my list. The globe art installation Gaia that currently hangs in the Painted Hall in Greenwich will be moving there, which fits so well with our ‘local London, global London’ theme. It’s an eco community building in the middle of a beautiful park in Barking Riverside, but it also represents the global through this installation. It’s like they wrote the theme for us...
3. The Design District at Greenwich Peninsula
Construction of the new Design District is finishing just before the festival, so it will be one of the first events that they’re taking part in. It’s going to be a really interesting one to explore, with lots of shared working spaces that have all been designed differently for creative workers, from architects to furniture makers. They’re also opening up a market square, so you can stop for a drink and some food.