The London architecture festival aimed at getting people to appreciate structures from the inside went down a storm in the south east recently. KERRY ANN EUSTICE looks at some of the buildings involved.

The annual celebration of London architecture - especially the interiors, which took place on September 16 and September 17 this year , has been hailed a success.

Open House London is a festival designed to tempt the public to visit and view architecture, especially the buildings and areas which have restricted access.

Event co-ordinator Jenny Hoskins says any building is eligible if it has an element of architectural interest.

She said: "It could be an historical or listed building.

"It has to be fully intact as getting inside spaces is the focus.

"For the modern buildings Open House assesses the quality of the finish, whether it has an interesting concept, if it has been considered successful in its context and if it is suited to its function and purpose."

The Churchill Theatre in Bromley was just one of the venues which threw open its doors for the weekend.

Freeflowing backstage passes gave the visiting public the chance to stand in the wings, tread the boards and to nose around in the stars' dressing rooms and the after show green room.

The Churchill's operations manager, Chris Glover, was the one who recongised the theatre's potential as an interesting interior.

He said: "I had to apply to Open House to ensure we met its criteria.

"I thought it was an interesting building and when it was built in 1977 it was really ahead of its time."

The Churchill was designed by architect Ken Wilson.

He toured European opera houses for inspiration. This is mostly evident in the theatre's seating style, continuous rows without an aisle.

"Visitors appreciate these details," said Chris. "People had a real enthusiasm as they often have no idea what the backstage space is like."

Victoria Thornton, founding director of Open House, believes giving people access to the buildings they are usually locked out of encourages them to appreciate the architecture on a higher level.

She said: "Experiencing a building in the flesh, inside and out, can help you understand it and assess it in a way you never could from a picture.

"If Open House can get Londoners to care passionately about their city and its future buildings, we have achieved something."

The off-shore headquarters of Greenwich Yacht Club, a grand yet functional space constructed from contemporary materials such as glass, timber and aluminium, also took part in the weekend.

Although it has been involved sporadically for some years, organiser Oona Chantrell has ensured the club's premises have taken part in the event for the past two years so it gets the appreciation she feels it deserves.

Some 300 visitors were shown around the boat yard and engine room, peered into the sail loft and walked along the gangplank, as well as taking in an art exhibition of members' work, put on to coincide with Open House.

Using an existing pier, the clubhouse was the creation of London architects Frank and Luty and built to offer panoramic views of the river.

Quite a different scene to the Yacht Pub and The Ruby - a Thames barge - both former clubhouses in the early 1900s.

Oona said: "People do like a very modern building and the members love it.

"The open-ness, due to all the glass, seems to be a favourite feature."

For more information visit the website openhouse.org.uk