BLOGGING FOR LONDON

With best wishes for joyous holidays and a warm and happy new year

Lille: la maison de la batterie at rue des Arts

Le canal de la Deûle with heron and coot

The Euralille complex is the brainchild of Rem Koolhaas and very beautiful it is. Within the Koolhaas masterplan this is the Credit Lyonnais building, designed by Christian de Portzamparc.

How to build structures in time and space

More shots from Lille Metro designed by Jean Pattou. The transverse stair reminds me of the Harry Potter staircase. The architects who put up civic buildings like this one are the heroes of the built environment.

What living in France is (mostly) about

Awe inspiring

The Métro at Lille Europe: architect Jean Pattou, who was also responsible for the mural – inspired by and dedicated to Piranesi.

An inhabited London Bridge?

RIBA held a competition to design a new version of an inhabited bridge on the present London Bridge, very near the site of the original London Bridge.

'The competition marked the 800th anniversary of the opening of the first London Bridge in 1209 AD and invited today's designers to imagine a new version of the inhabited bridge.'

This one, designed by Ruben Eduardo Gomes and Marcal Lica, would be my choice.

OK, I admit it

I have been visiting the charming French city of Lille, particularly its pastry shops. This is Meert at 1 rue Esquermoise. Yum.

Journey time London to Lille 80 minutes.

Yow, I feel really European now.

This blog is cold

It will be reporting once it's had its lunch.