buildings

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Lords ‘UFO’ Architect Dies

Jan Kaplicky, an innovative architect who worked with both Norman Foster and Richard Rogers died on Wednesday in Prague. You may not have heard of Kaplicky, but you’ll probably recognise a few of his buildings. The Czech designer’s most famous work in the UK is …

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Just When You Thought Building Nicknames Couldn’t Get Any Odder

It’s hard to get excited about yet another new tower proposal approved by the City of London—especially when we read that construction won’t start until 2013. Yawn, yawn and thrice yawn. But then we learn that the curvy edifice planned for 60–70 St. Mary Axe …

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Hampton Court Palace Development Narks Starkey

A proposed development near Hampton Court Palace has exercised the ire of one of our foremost historians. David Starkey, considered something of an expert on Tudor times by dint of his copious books and television series on the subject, has thrown his chalice in with …

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Open House: Late Changes

For those of you gorging on architecture this weekend, the Open House London website has a number of late changes to the listings. Most importantly, the Bank of England, which we recommended in the most buttery terms, is now allowing access only to its museum. …

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London Open House: If You Only Do One Event This Year…

Two days until Open House Weekend, the premier event in London’s architectural calendar. With bit noticeably chomped and anticipation status set to ‘moist’, we round up our highlights from previous years. Please, please, we want your suggestions in the comments. Diligent and dogged though we …

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London Festival of Architecture

It starts tomorrow, folks. The London Festival of Architecture runs for a whole month and comprises some 600 events and installations. Previously, we selected a few ticketed events so you could book early. Today, we present a few highlights that run for several days and …

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Book Now: London Festival of Architecture

It’s still three weeks away, but you’d better book now for some of the more popular-sounding happenings at this year’s London Festival of Architecture. From 20 June to 20 July over 600 events will celebrate the capital’s buildings. Here’s our pick of one-off events. We’ll …

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Mayor Wants Room For More Views

It was just last week that Londonist speculated our new mayor might not be so enthused about the skyscrapers redrawing London’s skyline as his predecessor was. Now we have confirmation from the blond-barnetted one himself: he is to demand tougher rules on high rise buildings. …

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Book Review: Derelict London by Paul Talling

There’s nothing shabby about Derelict London, a thoughtful compendium of unloved and forgotten buildings, the necrotic ulcers in London’s hidden underbelly. Photos from the author, some taken in locations where we wouldn’t want to risk an expensive SLR, are backed up with illuminating research and …

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The London That Never Was (Fortunately)

At first glance, this looks like a rather pleasant alternative to the Millennium Bridge – a verdant, undulating span like nothing else in London. But look at what’s written along the side and you may feel your gorge begin to rise. The Diana Memorial Bridge …

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Surfin’ Silvertown

Crowd-surfing in a mosh pit down the Astoria or Brixton Academy is the closest most in London can readily get to the waves and Waikiki lifestyle. That could be about to change: plans are afoot for a permanent outdoor surf machine in East London. As …