The Society’s historic headquarters in Kensington, London, will open their doors to the public on Saturday 20 September (10am - 5pm) as part of Open House London.
Visitors will be given a unique opportunity to view some of the finest domestic work of renowned architect Norman Shaw, as well as learning about the history of the Society.
Self-guided tours will take visitors around much of the building including the Council Room, the new map room, the ambulatory, the main hall and the terrace. An historic film will also be on show in the Ondaatje Theatre.
The grade II* listed Lowther Lodge is a building of three ages. Completed in 1874 for the Lowther family, it was originally built as a home. The Society, growing too large for its Saville Row premises, moved into Lowther Lodge in 1912. Demands for greater space saw a lecture theatre, among other rooms, added to the original building.
In 2004, Lowther Lodge was extended further. A glass exhibition pavilion, the Foyle Reading Room, new archive storage space, a new entrance Exhibition Road and refurbished rooms transformed the building.