Openhouse

Designed by Richard Rogers and opened in 1986, the Lloyds Building in the City of London is a celebration of hi-tech; exposed mechanics and functional elements, pipes and lifts adorn the exterior, and glass and metal predominate. Yet inside, on the 11th floor, is a bizzarre room from a different era. Straight from the 18th century is a room of off white and gold; elaborate floral plasterwork, gold-framed paintings adorn the walls, a huge mahogany table is laid with a silver dinner set and lit by a pair of crystal chandaliers. I was assured that the room was used on a regular basis, and wasnt purely for show.

The Openhouse weekend give a great opportunity to visit buildings that are otherwise closed to the public, and I also went to the Wellcome trust building, with a huge hetherwick sculpture in the foyer.