Discover the landmark Post-War and Postmodern structures
of the City of London
Join Open House for a socially distanced walking tour discovering some of the foremost Post-War and Postmodern buildings within the Square Mile
This insightful walking tour from Broadgate to Bank — led by acclaimed architectural historian Jon Wright — chronicles how the stark and sometimes heroic forces of 1960s modernism were superseded by a more contextual architecture in the 1970s before the hi-tech and postmodern (po-mo) styles took over as the de-facto forces in commercial architecture in the 1980s and 90s.
Buildings featured on the tour – such as Exchange House by SOM, Arup Associates’ Broadgate Circle, and Milton Gate by Sir Denys Lasdun & Partners – chart that shift and give glimpses of the architectural richness and fluidity that continue to define the City today.
The City of London, one of the most dynamic and rapidly changing urban centres anywhere in the world contains buildings from the middle ages to now. Constantly morphing and adapting, the City is the ultimate place to see the big forces of architectural history side-by-side.
Providing a safe and fun way for enthusiastic urbanists to explore the city, this socially-distanced live physical walking tour is part of a series of events responding to the core themes of the last Open House festival and the wider Open City programme.
Using live audio and image sharing, participants will use their smart phones to follow the tour which will examine the success of these buildings to date while also looking ahead to what the future for the City of London might hold.
Meet: Exchange House, 12 Primrose St EC2A 2HS. Duration 2.5 hours approx. Tour ends at No1 Poultry/Bank. Cost £12.50 / £9.50 concessions. (students/unemployed/furloughed)
Participants must bring a fully charged smart phone with internet connection, downloaded Zoom in advance of the tour, bring headphones; and remember to stay at least two metres apart from each other where required. Zoom joining info will be sent out to all bookers the week before the tour. Get in touch with Adrianna at tours@open-city.org.uk with any queries.
Meet the tour guide…
Jon Wright works for Purcell Architects as a Twentieth Century Heritage Consultant, specialising
in the history and conservation of modern buildings. He believes it's a
fascinating area as many of the principles for how we look after
these buildings are not yet fully formed. He is a former caseworker
for the Twentieth Century Society, where he fought to get many
buildings of the period listed and now works with architects to
help look after them.
Jon Joined the Open City team in 2017.