This weekend is one of my favourites of the year: Open House Weekend, when all sorts of London buildings open their doors to the public. In anticipation, here are a couple of local buildings I've visited in previous years.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtAe8RqmASGtUId2TBwkfpAR8MxQ4940BH0WQHHMHQ0xsDP2679bIxi927YVlLfWDIg79RgxID6tsLvJKzT4IJvFXCJgGZ5Xki-fBShdE5Y2K42A4joPSse-BSQM9t85dY3WWy222uSOyCMs/s400/DSC01185.JPG)
Ben Pimlott Building (Will Alsop, 2005) is a striking feature of New Cross Road, and part of Goldsmiths College. It's named for the late Professor Ben Pimlott, a leading historian of the Labour movement and warden of Goldsmiths, who died the year before it opened. Visiting meant not only getting inside a local landmark, but also enjoying some amazing views over Deptford, New Cross and beyond.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mhyEdDkxfBf2UkwKxzN-w4PgniKLfl1rhs4N6Lq8CLdY-Z4CHq9bKxE1X7Jv6N0ZUKnx1ywjdii7zhc7Frdy3E2Kh6yZyUyFuusGsb9TZR4feNp0BR8GeJaiaO129ejoIxmAn2rjM55o4fY/s640/DSC01199.JPG)
The Stone House in Lewisham is very different. It hides modestly behind its walls; within is a stunning eighteenth-century home. Architect George Gibson designed it for himself, and without a client to please could produce a fairly eccentric combination of grand pillared, plastered porticos and rough stone walls; a square body with tall curved bays; and a cupola. Pevsner describes it as 'a very personal interpretation of the villa form'.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MYHmz6gfds9DFsqHw8Je-OciyqwQPkZXQPCaB_wC8bdYbckxTd-GAQKpLfcxMRd7ZZUTemUCya0u75pumjZCF_2Ln-XQvyFrcfd8tlyM2OXHn8hcZqyE-dF93ytAFrHccGHGgSHELQpDUP0/s400/DSC01172.JPG)
Just two out of the thousands to choose from each year: it's well worth browsing the Open House website to find more local gems.
For all Open House posts, click here.
Ben Pimlott Building (Will Alsop, 2005) is a striking feature of New Cross Road, and part of Goldsmiths College. It's named for the late Professor Ben Pimlott, a leading historian of the Labour movement and warden of Goldsmiths, who died the year before it opened. Visiting meant not only getting inside a local landmark, but also enjoying some amazing views over Deptford, New Cross and beyond.
The Stone House in Lewisham is very different. It hides modestly behind its walls; within is a stunning eighteenth-century home. Architect George Gibson designed it for himself, and without a client to please could produce a fairly eccentric combination of grand pillared, plastered porticos and rough stone walls; a square body with tall curved bays; and a cupola. Pevsner describes it as 'a very personal interpretation of the villa form'.
Just two out of the thousands to choose from each year: it's well worth browsing the Open House website to find more local gems.
For all Open House posts, click here.
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