Tag Archives: architecture

How meat and water designed part of London: the drovers’ route from Islington to Smithfield, a new walk from London Open City

Last week I led a walk exploring the drovers’ route from the Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington to Smithfield Market. This took in the New River, the history of Sadler’s Wells, Spa Green and especially the impact of the movement of meat and water on the design and development of the route along St John’s Street toContinue reading “How meat and water designed part of London: the drovers’ route from Islington to Smithfield, a new walk from London Open City”

Printing at St Bride’s Foundation

There can be few more delightful ways of spending a Saturday than in the print workshop at the St Bride’s Foundation just off Fleet Street. St Bride’s includes not only the print workshop, but also a museum of design and print; a theatre; a library (as well as a disused swimming pool). A day spent learning the letterpress printingContinue reading “Printing at St Bride’s Foundation”

Follow me on the Maggie’s Culture Crawl

I am taking part in the Culture Crawl, a fifteen mile sponsored walk in aid of Maggie’s Centres and London Open House; both excellent causes. Maggie’s Centres use superb architecture and landscape design to create a good environment for people with cancer.  London Open House is just fabulous and fun. The walk will take meContinue reading “Follow me on the Maggie’s Culture Crawl”

Barbican YMCA to close: a great building in a search of a purpose

Barbican YMCA will close in September. It is a great building with a superb central staircase. It has been neglected and is now in need of a sympathetic conversion to something useful.

Wind powered floodlights could be a better symbol of the Olympics than the arcelormittal orbit

The arcelormittal orbit nears completion but like its name, communicates little. This picture taken after the London Prepares diving championships also shows the rather more elegant combined floodlights and wind turbines.