Starting in 1992, Open House London has grown to be the world’s largest architecture festival, when over a quarter of a million people visit 800+ buildings, walks, talks and tour across London, over one weekend in September every year.
Following the success of Open House in 2018, OPDC were excited to collaborate with Open City for a second time.
The Collective
Helping us with the programme for the weekend were Acton-based Artification, an organisation who aim to develop art projects that connect people and catalyse change, by responding to needs of local people. Artification delivered some hands on of art and crafts at The Collective, that people of all ages could take part in.
This included Building Blocks, an interactive art installation, where visitors where asked to draw what their aspirations for area and their shared creations were built-up over the weekend.
The Collective was also the start for many of walking tours that took place over the weekend. Themed on ‘Ways or Living’ and a ‘Taste of Park Royal’ the tours called in at Wesley Estate, Kensal Green Cemetery, Sharafi & Co and Kamil bakery.
The Sharks
On leaving The Collective and walking alongside the canal towards Harlesden, you’ll find The Sharks canoeing club. The Sharks teach people of all ages boating skills to help improve fitness, make sports accessible and coach those who want to compete. Free taster sessions were run all weekend with the aim of encouraging people to come back to The Sharks weekly sessions on Thursday afternoons.
Park Royal Fire Station
Carry on walking down the canal, and you’ll stumble across Park Royal Fire Station. This was the station’s first time participating in Open House and proved to be a big hit, with a turnout of over sixty people! The day started with a guided tour of the station, including an exhibition of Frederick Davis, a local firefighter who was awarded The George Cross in 1945.
Visitors were given a unique opportunity to use the fire hose, dress up in fire gear and test out the sirens. The day ended with a visit to the station garden, a tranquil space where in their downtime the firefighters watch the boats go past and admire the wildlife by the canal.
Ace Cafe London
Close to Stonebridge Park station and a short drive from the fire station, is Ace Cafe London, which has been in business since 1938. Ace Cafe is known as “the home” for petrolheads, it’s the world’s most famous motor cafe. Playing on this theme those visiting were invited to make their own number plate key rings, which proved popular with the staff as well as visitors!
Mark Wilsmore, Managing Director of Ace Cafe, was on hand to talk through the history of the cafe and show historic newspaper clippings and paraphernalia from the last sixty years. Mark was also able to point out customers in photos from the sixties, who still enjoy visiting the cafe to this day!
Open House 2020
Open House 2019 has shown, once again, to be a great way of bringing people together, of all ages, social backgrounds, cultures and occupations, to celebrate the buildings and spaces that make Old Oak and Park Royal such a wonderful place to live and visit.
Based on this success planning for the Open House 2020 programme has already commenced so if you’d like to be involved or open a building please get in touch.