Ten Christmas gifts for London lovers
Zoë Cave selects ten of her favourite last minute Christmas gifts for lovers of London and its architecture
Christmas is coming! We are all trying to muster the conviviality that this season demands but which feels harder to conjure this crazy year and usual. To help, Open City has pulled together this list of Christmas gifts that will scratch the itch for those of us who live in and love London but have been locked out of it for most of this year.
We hope this list sparks some last minute inspiration for 11th hour gifts celebrating London and its architecture, helping you explore adventurously in the new year and support the capital’s small businesses that have been hit hard.
1.
GLC Socks! Who doesn’t love socks for Christmas?
Our friends at the Architecture Foundation have made these glorious Greater London Council socks with a not-so-subtle reference to the watery blue and white pattern which featured on the former GLC’ crest symbolising the Thames. Pop these in a stocking and watch the discussion of whether London needs a new form a civic heraldry pop-off around your Christmas dinner table.
Click here to buy.
2. Barbican Tea Towel
What better way to celebrate the indisputable iconic architecture of brutalism than to capture its essence on a 100% cotton Gold Ink printed tea towel? This tea towel on sale from Things You Can Buy is a homage to the modernist kitchens found in Chamberlin Powell & Bon’s housing estate, the Barbican. The kitchens were famous made by Brooke Marine, a yacht manufacturer and though chic are notoriously hard to find replacement parts for. It’s cute, it’s original, it will get instant use on Christmas day.
Click here to buy.
3. Pocket London Tours
With Open City's Pocket London Tours, receive engaging, incisively written and architecturally adventurous walking and cycling tours unlocking compelling neighborhoods across the capital delivered to your door.
Available as one-off tours or as a monthly subscription, the Pocket London Tours feature a wide range of authors from veteran historians to emerging critics. Explore the city on your own terms and at your own pace, tackling big themes while experiencing London's finest architecture.
Click here to buy
4. Ceramics and Squares
One of the most popular events of the 2020 Open House Festival was the opening of Rochester Square in Camden, with ceramic workshops, climate change awareness raising and talks. Rochester Square’s studio is home to a number of artists who create ceramics that will make thoughtful and one-of-a-kind presents while supporting this remarkable community space.
Click here to buy.
5. Curious art and beautiful ornaments
Another hit of the 2020 Open House Festival was the opening of Van Gogh House on 87 Hackford Road. Nearby and run by the same team is the San Mei Gallery, a space where art and architecture meet in surprising ways. This year, the gallery is selling a range of one-off pieces to raise funds for its 2021 education programme.
Click here to buy.
6. Printed perambulation maps
Flaneur, perambulator, urban rambler, whoever you are, however you traverse the city, these gorgeous printed maps, created by Stefi Orazi, make wonderful gifts. Stefi created a series of walking guides for different London neighbourhoods focussing on the delights of modernist architecture. These are ideal for Covid-safe meanderings of the city, or peaceful post-Turkey-sambo Boxing Day walks of the city. And yes, that’s an illustrated Stefi on the front of every cover.
Click here to buy.
7. Candle making kit
Although 2020 brought enormous challenges, a few good things have come from it. For some, restrictions on travel helped reinvigorate a love and appreciation for our homes and local parks, and an revolution in lockdown hobbies and handicrafts. This home candle making kit made by Earl of East is a gift to help loved ones flex their craft skills, keeping hands and minds busy in what’s probably going to be a long winter waiting for the vaccine.
Click here to buy.
8. The Alternative Guide to the London Boroughs
Do you know someone who thinks they know London? Can they name a few architectural highlighted of Brent? Or tell you the history of Somers Town? The Alternative London Guide is the perfect present for the true London lover encompassing everything from Brutalist Polish community centres to suburban garden cities. Edited by Owen Hatherley with 33 chapters by 33 writers exploring each of the 33 London Boroughs.
Click here to buy.
9. Architectural science fiction
Probe into fantastical fiction of the stories of cities and communities yet to be created. Gross Ideas: Tales of Tomorrow’s Architecture is a compendium of short stories Gross Ideas is a book of original short stories written by architects, engineers, and novelists, exploring the architecture of the near future glimpsed through the lens of fictional characters, places and buildings.
Click here to buy.
10. A subscription to The Architectural Review or The Architects’ Journal
Undoubtably one of the best and most surprising of architectural journals is the monthly Architectural Review. Something we’ve all learned from 2020 is the immense value of great writing and journalism transporting readers to new locations when travel is restricted, and shining light on important issues. The AR and it’s sister magazine the weekly Architects’ Journal are crucial voices in the architectural world and would make a handsome present for any professional or aspiring architect.
Click here to buy.
