{"id":596999,"date":"2026-09-11T10:32:15","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T10:32:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/596999\/"},"modified":"2026-09-11T10:32:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T10:32:15","slug":"open-house-2026-highlights-10-of-londons-must-see-buildings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/596999\/","title":{"rendered":"Open House 2026 highlights: 10 of London\u2019s must-see buildings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Highlights include 10 Downing Street, the BT Tower, and two Richard Rogers buildings: Lloyd\u2019s of London and 22 Parkside. Tickets to see these buildings have already been awarded by advance registration or ballot.<\/p>\n

The annual event allows rare access to new and old architecture in all of London\u2019s 33 boroughs. And more than 500 buildings will be open as \u2018drop-ins\u2019 with no pre-booking required.<\/p>\n

Among the landmarks opening for drop-in visits are Foster + Partners\u2019 Riverside headquarters<\/a> in Battersea, the Herne Hill Velodrome<\/a> by Hopkins Architects, St Bartholomew\u2019s Hospital<\/a> and the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration<\/a> by Tim Ronalds Architects.<\/p>\n

Also available for drop-ins are Kew House<\/a> by Piercy & Company, the University of Greenwich at Stockwell Street<\/a> by Heneghan Peng Architects and the Resonance FM Studios<\/a> by James Pooley Architecture.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s festival also includes special \u2018collections\u2019 \u2013 themed groups of buildings, focusing on Homes with Stories to Tell<\/a>, Hidden Histories<\/a>, Green London<\/a> and Meet the Architects<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The full listings are available at the Open House Festival website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Founded in 1992, Open House typically sees around 250,000 people engage with London\u2019s most compelling architecture, heritage and communities. This year\u2019s festival will run from Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 September.<\/p>\n

The 2026 Open House Festival comes four years after the 30th anniversary of its parent charity, Open City, which runs a year-round programme of educational activities, films, tours, and podcasts.<\/p>\n

Ten drop-in highlights from the 2026 Open House Festival
\n\"Red<\/p>\n

Red House<\/p>\n

Source: Image by National Trust Images Andrew Butler<\/p>\n

Red House, Bexley, by Philip Webb with William Morris
Completed in 1860 as William Morris\u2019s first home and a manifesto for the Arts and Crafts movement, Red House<\/a> features a wealth of original details, including decorations by Pre-Raphaelite artists. Part of the complex was later home to Lambeth Council\u2019s lead architect Ted Hollamby.
Drop\u2011in guided tours 11am-4pm on Thursday 17 Sep and Friday 18 September.<\/p>\n

\"Lllington<\/p>\n

Lillington Gardens Estate<\/p>\n

Source: Image by Jane Opher<\/p>\n

Lillington Gardens Estate, Pimlico, by Darbourne & Darke
Built between 1961 and 1971, Lillington Gardens<\/a> is credited with redefining London public housing of its time \u2013 ushering in a new focus on medium\u2011rise blocks and green public and private spaces.
Drop\u2011in tours on Saturday 19 September, departing regularly (roughly every 20 minutes) from the Community Centre under Morgan House.<\/p>\n

\"Buzz<\/p>\n

Buzz Bingo<\/p>\n

Source: Image by Merlin Fulcher<\/p>\n

Buzz Bingo Hall (former Granada Cinema), Tooting, by Cecil Massey and Theodore Komisarjevsky
The Tooting Granada<\/a> features an extraordinary and fantastical Gothic-style interior by designer Theodore Komisarjevsky. Alongside the bingo, key highlights include the double\u2011height foyer, hall of mirrors and main auditorium.
Drop\u2011in tours will take place roughly every 20 minutes from 10am-12pm on Sunday 20 September.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Wade House<\/p>\n

Source: Image by Lorenzo Zandri<\/p>\n

Wade House, Ruislip, by Wadhal
Occupying a tight backland plot in Ruislip\u2019s Manor estate, Wade House<\/a> by emerging west London practice Wadhal<\/a> is a two\u2011storey, two\u2011bedroom detached home that mirrors 1930s suburban forms.
Drop\u2011in from 12-4pm on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September<\/p>\n

\"7<\/p>\n

7 Meadow Lane<\/p>\n

Source: Image by Charmaine McNally<\/p>\n

7 Meadow Lane, Grove Park, by Fusion Jameen with Tim Oshodi
Part of a 14\u2011home, women\u2011led community self\u2011build scheme, 7 Meadow Lane<\/a> is Charmaine McNally\u2019s six\u2011bedroom home and garden, created after training from scratch in DIY and construction.
Drop\u2011in from 11am to 4pm on Sunday 20 September<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Source:Johan Dehlin<\/p>\n

A House For Artists<\/p>\n

Source: Johan Dehlin<\/p>\n

A House for Artists, Barking, by Apparata
Co\u2011commissioned by Create London and Barking & Dagenham Council and shortlisted for the 2023 Stirling Prize, A House for Artists<\/a> features 14 subsidised artist homes with studios and a ground\u2011floor community space, exchanging reduced rent for weekly public programming.
Drop\u2011in from 11am to 1pm on Sunday 20 September<\/p>\n

\"Kaymet<\/p>\n

Kaymet Factory<\/p>\n

Source: Image by Mark Brearley<\/p>\n

Kaymet Factory, Bermondsey, architect unknown (1958)
A hidden 1950s industrial shed behind Asda on Ossory Road, the Kaymet Factory<\/a> remains a working plant making anodised aluminium trays and trolleys using mid\u2011century kit and craft.
Drop\u2011in from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September, and Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September<\/p>\n

\"Bruno<\/p>\n

Bruno Court, The German Hospital<\/p>\n

Source: Image by George Spencer<\/p>\n

Bruno Court, The German Hospital, Hackney, by Burnet, Tait and Lorne
This 1936 Modernist-style hospital wing<\/a>, converted to flats in 1999, preserves many original features in its common areas, including Janus tiles from Germany, terrazzo stairwells and streamlined sun balconies informed by Finland\u2019s Paimio Sanatorium.
Drop\u2011in for guided tours from 10am to 12pm on Sunday 20 September<\/p>\n

\"St<\/p>\n

St Paul\u2019s, Newington<\/p>\n

Source: Image by Merlin Fulcher<\/p>\n

St Paul\u2019s, Newington, by Woodroffe Buchanan and Coulter
Replacing a fire\u2011destroyed 1856 church, St Paul\u2019s<\/a> (1955-60) is a rare post\u2011war Anglican church featuring reinforced concrete, hexagonal stained-glass windows, and a dramatic copper roof with distinctive protruding gables and dormers.
Drop\u2011in guided tours from 10.30am to 2pm on Saturdays 12 and 19 September and from 11am to 2pm on Sundays 13 and 20 September<\/p>\n

\"Ismaili<\/p>\n

Ismaili Centre London<\/p>\n

Source: Ismaili Centre London<\/p>\n

The Ismaili Centre, South Kensington, by Casson Conder Partnership
Opened in 1985, the Ismaili Centre<\/a> features materials from around the world, Islamic geometric patterns and calligraphy by Karl Schlamminger. Designed as a religious, cultural and social hub, the complex includes a roof garden framed by South Kensington\u2019s museum domes.
Drop\u2011in open day with guided tours and workshops from 10am to 4pm on Sunday 13 September<\/p>\n

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