This week I had the opportunity of visiting two very different exhibitions. This first was the RIBA’s ‘The Brits Who Built the Modern World.’ The show is part of a season of events and exhibitions celebrating the work of some of the UK’s most prominent architects – Norman Foster, Richard Rogers, Nicholas Grimshaw, Michael Hopkins and Terry Farrell.

The show runs until 27th May 2014 in the new ground floor gallery at the RIBA’s headquarters at Portland Place, London.

The gallery, designed by Carmody Groarke, was my office many years ago! I was interested to see its transformation and it meets with my approval!

One can certainly say, as ambassadors for  architecture, each practitioner is responsible for some of the world’s most recognisable and iconic buildings. These practitioners were born within six years of each other in the 1930s and have greatly influenced the profession and its status over the last 40 years.

The exhibition provides a timeline of designs, revealing more about iconic buildings, their practices and architectural influences. It explores the reasons behind a British/global success story with over 190 photographs, drawings and models taken from RIBA’s collections and  participating architectural practices.

The exhibition accompanies the BBC TV series of the same title. Please see the link http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03vrz4f

The RIBA is also hosting a special evening in conversation with the architects on 11^th March. For further details please visit

http://www.architecture.com/WhatsOn/RIBAPublicProgramme/TheBritsWhoBuiltTheModernWorld/TalksandEvents/TheBritsWhoBuilttheModernWorld–NormanFoster,RichardRogers,TerryFarrell,NicholasGrimshawMichaelandPattyHopkinsinconversation.aspx#.Uwd1DiidDFI

My second exhibition definitely had a French feel to it. 5th Base Gallery in London’s Brick Lane welcomed Paris gallerist Jean Pierre Lorriaux and his selection of emerging young French artists to London.  The show featured a vibrant array of contemporary painting, photography, collage and sculpture, leaving me inspired and  intrigued enough to follow the careers of artists Andreo-Wol, J. Decoux Bechaud and Florence Mouillot-Gaultier amongst others. The show runs until 26^th February.

For further details please visit http://www.5thbase.co.uk/

Two worthwhile exhibitions to see if you’re in London this weekend. Wishing you  great weekend wherever you are!