One of the largest annual festivals celebrating architecture and design in the capital takes place on the 17th and 18th of September 2016. Open House London is a unique event because it opens up buildings all over the city, allowing members of the public access on a limited basis. The idea is to encourage openness and appreciation for the multitude of wonderful properties and designs on offer in the area.

The Open House movement began in 1992 and has grown substantially over the years. In 1994 the event featured around 200 buildings in London. That number has now risen to over 750 as more and more properties are opened to the public. Each year is larger than the previous one and the organisers hope it will ultimately lead to a completely open city.

Alongside growth in the London edition of Open House the idea has also spread around the world. More than 30 cities scattered all around the world now take part. This sees hundreds of thousands of properties opened to the public in total. More than a million people participate in the event, with higher numbers attracted all the time.

The London edition of the event will give guests a warm welcome on the 17th and 18th of September and provide them with plenty of buildings to explore. You can view the entire programme on the Open House London website. This will give you some information about the properties you can see, the dates they will be opened, and details about how you can gain entry. Some buildings will only accept limited numbers and you need to apply for a space.

At the majority of the buildings tour guides will be present to take groups around the property and provide information about it. During the event there will also be open debates about architecture and the issues facing the industry.

Whether you’re an architect or have a passion for architecture and design Open House London is a great event and shouldn’t be missed.