Video:Profile of Open House London

Transcript:Profile of Open House London

Hello, I'm Milo for About.com and today in Go London we're talking about Open House London Weekend.

 What Is Open House London? 

Open House London is a part of the Open City Initiative, in their own words, "an independent organisation that champions the value of well-designed places and spaces in making a liveable and vibrant city, and the role everyone plays within it." During one weekend in September, sites and buildings in and around London are showcased as examples of the organization's goal of sustainable and dynamic living spaces. The focus is on architecture and design, but there is so much more.

 Events in Open House London 

In addition to the numerous tours (780 sites in 2011) there are lectures, exhibits, and numerous programs and events. There is so much to see and do that you can only participate in a fraction of it during the exhibition. A few sites are open to a limited number of visitors, entrance is free but you must reserve online. Spaces fill up quickly. In fact it is a great idea to get the guide online way in advance to plan your trip, as you will in no way be able to see all there is on offer: http://www.openhouselondon.org.uk/.

 Examples of Structures in Open House London 

Here are some examples and a quick idea of how expansive the Open house really is:In Barnet there is 19 Spaniards End, an excellent model of sustainable design housing an impressive and eclectic art collection. In Bexley there is the iconic Crossness Pumping Station -- ornate Victorian ironwork frames a massive water treatment infrastructure. In Brent, among many interesting things is Shri Swaminarayan, the first traditional mandir outside India.   

More Open House London Structures  

London has successfully incorporated numerous examples of sustainable and cutting edge design, many open to the public year round, like the City Hall Complex, also a part of the London Night Hike. In Greenwich, there's the Devonport Mausoleum with a fascinating history. In Westminster there is the Foreign Office and India Office, classic Victorian elegance.

There is no way to do justice to all there is to see and do. For more travel tips and helpful information, check us out at About.com.