YOU are invited to step into some of Harrow and Brent's most interesting buildings this weekend as part of the capital's 'largest architectural showcase'.
Open House London will see all manner of properties - especially those that are usually closed off to the public - throwing open their doors to give residents a peek inside on either Saturday, Sunday or both.
Among the 700 locations participating this year across our city are churches, children's centres, private homes, museums, art galleries, cultural centres and even an underground bunker!
The owners of a handful of venues are laying on guided tours to explain its architecture and history - which means that visitors can swot up on some of the buildings they take for granted, like St Mary's Church in Harrow-on-the-Hill or Brent Town Hall in Wembley.
In addition, a guided walk has been organised for Sunday afternoon in Pinner by the Local History Society to explain the origins of the village's locale and changes over its history.
Several of the buildings have been featured in the Harrow Architectural and Environmental Awards, which are honours run every two years by the Harrow Heritage Trust in conjunction with the Observer to recognise good, sympathetic design.
Pinner's sensitively restored Sweetmans Hall, a 2008 winner, debuts in Open House London while former cinema The Zoroastrian Centre for Europe, in South Harrow, and Harrow's Headstone Manor are former victors in the same competition.
Martin Verden, chairman of Harrow Heritage Trust, says: "One of the philosophies behind all this is to make people aware of what wonderful buildings they have got in the area and how important it is to cherish them and preserve them and, of course, at the same time we're looking for really iconic new buildings.
"It's a good mixture of what has gone in the past and a vision for the future."
Open House London, an annual celebration of the fabric of London's urban environment, is organised by Open House, an architecture education charity.
Founding director Victoria Thornton says: "Open House London highlights the value of good design and aims to open eyes and minds to the city's wealth of architecture. Experiencing a building in the flesh can help to understand, appreciate and critique it. Open House London hopes to inspire everyone to explore the capital and take an interest in good design for existing and future generations."
* Access to all the locations taking part will be free, although visitor numbers may be limited, and each building is to open at different times over the weekend. Check the boxes for details and booking instructions.
