Old Headquarters and Showroom of the Royal Doulton Company

London is an old city, which is constantly evolving and rejuvenating. Dating back to Roman times, the city is rich with architecture of all eras. Britain values its buildings and the country benefits from a comprehensive listing policy that ensures that buildings of architectural merit are preserved to varying degrees. At one extreme, buildings cannot be changed in any way, where, in preserving a building, no alterations can be made and only original building techniques may be used during renovation. At the other extreme, the facades are preserved, while everything behind is knocked down and effectively a totally modern building is grafted on. 

While this architectural policy could have led to a city pickled in time, at least from the outside, a combination of allowing buildings of little architectural merit to be raized in combination with the destruction caused by the bombing raids during Second World War have allowed a great deal of regeneration and the possibility to showcase modern architectural styles.

Our walk, organised by Open House, took us from St Mary-of-Lambeth, former parish church, parts of which date back to 1377 through to Newport Street to see the Damien Hurst's Gallery, past the new US Embassy and the new riverside residential buildings in Vauxhall, and finally to the Battersea Power Station Development. (Click on photos to enlarge and for correct aspect)