Hi-tech Inside-Out Lloyd's Building Opens for Open House Festival
One day only will see the Lloyd's building in the City of London open its doors to the public for the first time since 2014, as part of the Open House festival. The 40th anniversary of Richard Rogers's hi-tech, inside-out design comes amid comparisons to a monster, an oil rig, and the Parthenon. In 2011, the structure became the youngest UK building to receive Grade I listing. Critic Owen Hatherley, in his 2012 book A New Kind of Bleak, described it as 'monstrous, compelling' and 'utterly messed-up'; in the 1980s, Prince Charles suggested it was inspired by a North Sea oil rig. The building has housed the global insurance marketplace since its 1986 opening.
Key facts
- The Lloyd's building will open to the public for one day during the Open House festival.
- It is the first time the building has opened to the public since 2014.
- The opening is part of its 40th anniversary celebrations.
- The building was designed by architect Richard Rogers.
- It opened in 1986.
- It became the youngest UK building to receive Grade I-listed status in 2011.
- Critic Owen Hatherley called it 'monstrous, compelling' in his 2012 book A New Kind of Bleak.
- Prince Charles suggested it was inspired by a North Sea oil rig in the 1980s.
Entities
Artists
- Owen Hatherley
- Richard Rogers
- Prince Charles
Institutions
- Lloyd's
- Open House festival
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- City of London
- North Sea
- Lloyd's building