2019 - click > to browse thumbnails - click pictures to browse images full size
Visit to London
BUSHEY CEMETERY |
We were given a warm welcome - and the offer of a guided introduction which we had not expected. This was an interesting visit in that we learned much about Jewish burial practices and how they shaped the design of the buildings. The setting was very ‘outer London’ and the earlier buildings looked – from a distance - as if they might be interesting too. Although the low flying light aircraft rather spoil the sense of tranquillity the new buildings are modest, thoughtfully laid out and the ceremonial spaces have a peaceful atmosphere. The rake to the floor was disconcerting, but it must be very effective for a standing gathering. The plainness was welcome in a space intended for worship. The rammed earth construction merits some comment. Although it appears that lime might have been used in this centuries-old form of construction the Architect’s Journal’s 20 October 2016 states that actually cement was used in the mix there - which undermines the ‘earth-to-earth’ objective we were told about. The potential of the landscaping to take many burials was apparent, but one hopes that in the future the headstones will have a complimentary effect on the setting of the buildings. All in all, a worthwhile stop in a surprisingly rural spot before heading into the truly urban parts of London. Jonathan Hurst |
THE DESIGN MUSEUM
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Based in Kensington High Street, this building was originally occupied by The Commonwealth Institute from 1962 until closure in 2003. It reopened in 2016 after John Pawson had been commissioned to renovate it, keeping the structure’s extraordinary qualities. At the time it was considered to be one of the most important modern buildings in London. As you approach the spacious outer area and see the dramatic hyperbolic curve of the roof, described as a tent pitched in leafy Holland Park, it prepares you for the shapes you will see inside, where light and space allow the visitor immediate access to colour, shape and quality of materials. Once inside, because of the size and internal design, there is much to see; some of the work is on permanent display (like ‘Designer, Maker, User’ about the history of contemporary design) and also various temporary exhibitions. Everything related to ‘design’ in its many forms, is either on show or available to see and learn from the very many talks, workshops and courses for every age group. A very special temporary exhibition, whilst we were there, was the one highlighting the early black and white photography of Stanley Kubrick, the outstanding American filmmaker. There was a special video about his film work, which was way ahead of others at the time. I found it very refreshing to recognise that this museum has got its priorities right. There is something there for every age group and it was clearly a case of ' the pleasure of learning’. And, of course, splendid refreshments to persuade you to stay longer. Alwyne |
THE PAINTED HALL GREENWICH |
At Alwyne’s suggestion, we rearranged the second half of the day to allow us to visit The Painted Hall at Greenwich Old Royal Naval College on the way back to the hotel. This hall has just had an £8.5-million refurbishment and is described as “UK’s Sistine Chapel” Rob |
THE NEWPORT STREET GALLERY |
This gallery owned by Damien Hurst and free to visit, won the RIBA Stirling Prize 2016. It involved the conversion of a terrace of listed industrial buildings, that were formerly theatre carpentry and scenery painting workshops. The gallery runs for the whole length of the street, with the three Victorian buildings having additions at either end. Both floors within the five buildings form continuous spaces, allowing them to be used flexibly. At the time of our visit there was an exhibition by John Bellany and Alan Davie. Rob |
THE GARDEN MUSEUM |
I would not have thought that a disestablished church would be a good site for a museum of garden history, but St Mark at Lambeth succeeds brilliantly. Built in the grounds of Lambeth Palace it opened as a museum in 1977 and was redeveloped in 2015-17. David |
THE VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM |
The new porcelain-tiled entrance is a spectacular open space and is far more welcoming than the old entrance on Cromwell Road. It has created an extra 6,400 square metres of underground exhibition space. This space was being used for the Christian Dior & Mary Quant exhibitions during our visit. Rob |
THE FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE BLACKHEATH |
The day before we set out I received an email informing me that amongst several other Friends’ Meeting Houses about to be listed was the one in Blackheath. |
ELTHAM PALACE
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On our final morning we drove to the sunlit uplands of southeast London to visit Eltham Palace. The former monastery turned Tudor palace became in the early twentieth century the Art Deco home of the very wealthy Stephen and Virginia Courtauld. The Great Hall is the only clue to its former existence as the impression conveyed is one of ultra modernity, 1930s style. The work of architects Seely and Paget was derided by some at the time for "looking like a cigarette factory" but what is striking to modern eyes is how the compact butterfly layout and spacious rooms lend themselves to modern living. |
THE BLOOMBERG HQ BUILDING |
The drive to the City of London was another sightseeing experience for us all with glimpses of many well known institutions including the Richard Rogers Lloyds building en route. |
THE COAL DROPS YARD KINGS CROSS {gallery}2019/london/coal-drops-yard{/gallery} |
This is another part of the regeneration of the old goods yard north of King’s Cross, a short walk from Granary Square which we visited in 2014. Built in 1850-70, it was an innovative way of dealing with the coal supply. Waggons on upper sidings discharged coal through a trap door in their base, to be bagged on the lower level for distribution by horse and cart. After various other uses, workshops, studios and night clubs were established under the arches in the 1980s. David Watkin |
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