We start with a guided tour of 2 Willow Road (National Trust) which houses many of the treasures, furniture and objets d'art of one of the most influential figures in the British modern movement, Erno Goldfinger. A Hungarian-born architect with a dynamic vision Goldfinger's life and career was one of continent-spanning variety. A  little known aspect his furniture is full of innovation and style and embodies his design philosophy. Much of 2 Willow Road's furniture is bespoke, and full of interesting touches and trademarks including his black laminate top desk, featuring unique pivoting drawers.

After lunch we will visit The Isokon Gallery which is a permanent exhibition telling the remarkable story of the Isokon building, the pioneering modern apartment block opened in 1934 as an experiment in new ways of urban living. Also known as the Lawn Road Flats, the daringly modern apartment block was the epicentre of North London’s avant-garde circle during the 1930s and 1940s. The gallery, once the residents’ garage, also features furniture produced by Jack Pritchard under the Isokon furniture brand. Throughout the 1930s, he collaborated with many of the building’s architect residents, among them Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer and László Moholy-Nagy to create pieces for the flats. Originals such as the ’Penguin Donkey’ bookstand by resident Egon Riss and Breuer’s ’Long Chair’ are on display. Our short talk will particularly focus on the furniture.

COST: £60 includes a sandwich buffet lunch

LIMIT: 20 members

SPACES STILL AVAILABLE