Open House at the RA
Friday 18 September - Saturday 19 September 2015
Royal Academy of Arts
Free, no booking required.
Friends of the RA book first
Join us on Open House weekend as we open the doors of our home: Burlington House and Burlington Gardens.
Dating originally from the 1660s, Burlington House has been our home since 1867, and has seen impressive additions over the years by such celebrated architects as Sydney Smirke, Norman Shaw and Foster + Partners. Continuing that rich history, Burlington Gardens, originally built in the 1860s, is currently the focus of a major redevelopment of the RA’s site by David Chipperfield Architects, due for completion in 2018.
Enjoy a range of free events, activities and displays for all ages as you explore a number of our buildings’ hidden spaces and learn about four centuries of architecture.
Saturday 19 September
Still-life drawing in the historic Life Room
Become an art student for the day and draw from some of the RA’s extraordinary collection of plaster casts and a still life scene in the historic Life Room of the Royal Academy Schools.
Life Room, all day (drop-in)
Family Event: Beguiling Buildings
Join us for a free family drop-in workshop, ‘Beguiling Buildings’. Transform books into buildings big and small, inspired by the architecture of the RA. Collage and cut out to create your own towering tome to take home.
Reynolds Room, 11am – 2pm (drop-in)
Delve into our boxes of artist’s materials and tools and find out how the RA’s masterpieces were created.
Saloon, 10am– 6pm (drop-in)
Architectural Highlight Tours
Join our RA Guides on 30-minute tours to discover the rich architectural history of Burlington House and its many inhabitants over 350 years.
Meet in the Fine Rooms, tours start at 1.30, 2.30, 3.30, 4.30pm (sign up on the day)
Library tours at 2pm and 4pm (sign up on the day)
Stories from the Past – Visions of the Future exhibition talk
The RA’s Architecture Programme Curator, Owen Hopkins, reveals the intriguing story of the RA’s famous home and the future of its buildings, marking the moment we embark on the most significant transformation of our home in 150 years.
Meet in the Architecture Space, 2pm (drop-in)
Curators Tour of Chris Wilkinson RA: Thinking Through Drawing
Join exhibition curator Kate Goodwin as she discusses how drawing has been an integral part of the creative process of architect Chris Wilkinson RA.
Tennant Gallery, 3pm (free with an exhibition ticket, no booking required)
Redevelopment Tour of Burlington Gardens
Join Architecture Programme Curator, Owen Hopkins, and David Chipperfield architects Jonathan Cohen and Maria Girame on a tour of 6 Burlington Gardens and learn about the RA’s historic redevelopment ahead of our 250th anniversary in 2018.
Meet in the Front Hall of Burlington Gardens, 4pm (sign up in advance in the Saloon)
Sunday 20 September
Architectural Highlight Tours
Join our RA Guides on 30-minute tours to discover the rich architectural history of Burlington House and its many inhabitants over 350 years.
Meet in the Fine Rooms, tours start at 1.30, 2.30, 3.30, 4.30pm (sign up on the day)
Come and listen to our storytellers spin the Unexpected Hill into a whole new setting as it provides the backdrop for tales, folklore and adventure, from past and future worlds, which will enthral children and adults alike.
6 Burlington Gardens, 2.30 – 3.30pm (drop-in)
Family Studio: Building Stories
In this special workshop for Open House London, engineer towering tales and build stories as a family. Combine narrative and structure to create collaborative constructions as the RA celebrates its architectural past, present and future.
Reynolds Room, 11am – 3pm (drop-in)
Library tours at 2pm and 4pm (sign up on the day)
Drawing in the historic Life Room
Become an art student for the day and draw from some of the RA’s extraordinary collection of plaster casts in the historic Life Room of the Royal Academy Schools.
Life Room, all day (drop-in)