walk/tour
Ernő Goldfinger, 1939
Outside St John at Hampstead Church, Church Row, NW3 6UU
1930s Hampstead became a focal point for radical Modernist Architects in Britain. Rejecting the orthodoxy of earlier architectural movements, these pioneers embraced new technologies and philosophies for the machine age. We’ll also take on the legacy of the most important architect of the 20th century. Join this walking tour and explore some of the finest Modernist housing schemes in Britain.
Belsize Park, Hampstead
Hampstead Heath
268, 46
End: Isokon Flats, Lawn Road, Belsize Park, NW3 2XD
We will be walking mostly on pavements, but please wear appropriate footwear as Hampstead has hilly, varied terrain.
We will meet outside St John at Hampstead Church.
On this walking tour, we'll delve into how modernist icons such as Villas Stein and Savoye set the template for Maxwell Fry's Sun House and what became the 'International Style.' We'll also take a look at Le Corbusier's 'Maison Domino' as well as the counter-revolutionary opposition to Modernism's arrival in Britain.
Le Corbusier's 'Five Points' (1926) was an attempt to set out the core design principles underlying a new architecture. We'll examine the ideas he was formulating and their role in ushering in the age of Modernism in Britain and beyond.
We'll visit the former home of Hungarian-British architect Ernő Goldfinger. Here, we will explore the joys of concrete, historical references and even a link to James Bond.
This tour is led by a Graduate of Open City’s Golden Key Academy – a course training up insightful and engaging guides dedicated to explaining London and bringing its many stories to life. It is part of a wider collection of tours created by Golden Key Academy guides for the Open House Festival celebrating their conclusion of the eight month course. Further information on the Golden Key Academy can be found here https://open-city.org.uk/golden-key-academy
