Architecture Through Time

This collection is curated by Aaron, Open House Festival assistant curator. Aaron is a current student of Engineering at University of Liverpool whose curiosity about the built environment stems from exploring the city and learning about those who built it and the time periods in which these buildings were made.

His selection brings together eight buildings that each reflect a different chapter in London’s architectural story, from ancient foundations to contemporary innovation. Spanning Roman remains, medieval churches, Georgian institutions, Victorian theatres and post-war landmarks, these spaces show how the city has grown, adapted and reimagined itself across centuries. Together they represent civic life, culture, resilience and design, offering a glimpse into the shifting values and needs of Londoners over time.

Drop in

Bartholomew's Fayre: Great St Barts

Bartholomew's Fayre is a community festival taking place within the Smithfield Rotunda Garden, Great St Barts and the surrounding areas.

Drop in

Guildhall Yard

miscellaneous, community/cultural, civic

Publicly accessible space outside the spectacular Grade I listed medieval civic Guildhall.

George Dance the Younger, 1789

Drop in / Guided tour

Hackney Empire

theatre

Hackney Empire is a grade II* listed building. The theatre was built as a music hall in 1901, designed by the architect Frank Matcham. It is now a variety theatre for the 21st century, serving the local community and beyond.

Frank Matcham, 1901

Walking tour

Museum of London Docklands

museum

Grade I listed, late Georgian sugar warehouse now housing the Museum of London Docklands. Sensitively restored, the new multimedia displays coexist with the massive timber and brick structures of the original building.

George Gwilt & Son, 1802

Guided tour

Royal Academy of Music - Theatre and new Recital Hall

theatre, concert/performance space, education

The Royal Academy of Music’s Susie Sainsbury Theatre and Angela Burgess Recital Hall project created two distinct, outstanding performance spaces for Britain’s oldest conservatoire. Designed by Ritchie Studio, the project was the winner of over 20 national and international awards including the RIBA London Building of the Year.

Ritchie Studio, 2018

Drop in / Family activity

Royal College of Physicians

institution/profession, education, gallery, health, library, museum, online

Striking, provocative and one of London’s few Grade I listed post-war buildings – welcome to architect Denys Lasdun’s award-winning design. We invite you to drop in, take an expert tour, explore our archives and heritage library, get creative and more to discover the Royal College of Physicians' London home. See https://history.rcp.ac.uk/event/open-house-festival-2025 for more.

Sir Denys Lasdun, 1964

Drop in

St Martin-in-the-Fields

religious, concert/performance space, restaurant/bar

One of Britain's finest churches, built in the Italian Baroque tradition and beautifully restored in 2008. Sustainable features include new heating and management systems and lightwell. RIBA Award Winner 2009. Civic Trust Award Winner 2010.

James Gibbs, 1726

Drop in / Guided tour

Trinity Buoy Wharf/Container City

mixed use

Home to London's only lighthouse, fine stock buildings, examples of the innovative Container City buildings and SS Robin, the world’s only surviving complete Victorian steamship. This former buoy manufacturing site is now a centre for the creative industries with various sculptures and installations.

James Douglass, Eric Reynolds, ABK Architects, Lacey and Partners, Container City, 1822