Open House
On Saturday, we went up to town to meet Ian and go to some of the London Open House buildings - it's an opportunity to go see buildings that aren't normally open to the public.
We had a great time (thanks, Ian!) and went to the freemason's building, which has a vast and faintly silly temple inside it. I love that their approach to symbology is an 'everything and the kitchen sink' affair. Noted that the names of the lodges sound a lot like guild names. And their shop sells some pretty daft stuff, including teddy bears with masonic aprons. But it was cool to see inside!
We also went to the BMA building near Russell Square which is a vast Lutyens vision of grandeur which they are struggling to make into offices, as best I can tell. The general pomposity means that you aren't allowed to take photographs in their council chamber for no good reason I could think of. Parts of it reminded me of Senate House. It was built as a theosophist temple and we got the guide to talk a little about that.
Also saw the Mary Ward House, which is a fascinating building that was purpose built for a Victorian settlement/charity. Interesting because the design itself makes you feel very welcome, unlike some of the more formal Victorian stuff that is supposed to make you feel as though you are in a palace. The guide here was particularly enthusiastic.
After that, went to Neal St Yard and had various hot drinks and food, then wandered to some bar (whose name I can't remember) that brews its own beer. Which is when I flaked out.
We had a great time (thanks, Ian!) and went to the freemason's building, which has a vast and faintly silly temple inside it. I love that their approach to symbology is an 'everything and the kitchen sink' affair. Noted that the names of the lodges sound a lot like guild names. And their shop sells some pretty daft stuff, including teddy bears with masonic aprons. But it was cool to see inside!
We also went to the BMA building near Russell Square which is a vast Lutyens vision of grandeur which they are struggling to make into offices, as best I can tell. The general pomposity means that you aren't allowed to take photographs in their council chamber for no good reason I could think of. Parts of it reminded me of Senate House. It was built as a theosophist temple and we got the guide to talk a little about that.
Also saw the Mary Ward House, which is a fascinating building that was purpose built for a Victorian settlement/charity. Interesting because the design itself makes you feel very welcome, unlike some of the more formal Victorian stuff that is supposed to make you feel as though you are in a palace. The guide here was particularly enthusiastic.
After that, went to Neal St Yard and had various hot drinks and food, then wandered to some bar (whose name I can't remember) that brews its own beer. Which is when I flaked out.