Open House London takes place this weekend and an iconic building in Holloway built as a haven for torture survivors is throwing open its doors.
Freedom from Torture, the only UK charity solely dedicated to the rehabilitation and support of torture survivors, has housing therapy and art rooms, as well as offices in its Isledon Road base, near the Sobell Leisure Centre.
There’s also a “secret” garden tended to by the survivors as part of their specialist therapy.
Chief exec Sonya Sceats said: “It is a beautiful sanctuary and place of healing for survivors of torture who are rebuilding their lives here in Britain with our support. It is our pleasure to open our doors to the public for the very first time.”
Architect Paul Hyett, who designed the building, will also be around tomorrow. The former president of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) will be open to questions.
Paul said: “Three themes informed the design of this building: Light, water and curves. Light was a response to Helen Bamber’s edict that in ‘shining a light on truth’ the foundation bears everlasting witness to a victim’s suffering. Natural light floods the central area and permeates all the common parts of the building.”
It is open tomorrow from 1pm to 5pm and on Sunday from 2pm to 5pm.
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