2 Willow Rd.

Despite living in London as a student for 3 years and visiting on countless occasions since, there's never any shortage of new things to go and have a look at. Of course, being pop-up town central, things move almost as fast as out here in HK. Conversely, a lot of things really don't change, and as such it was a real joy to be thrown into the early 20th century capsule that is Erno Goldfinger's house in Hampstead. Now owned by the National Trust, this house is a real joy to look around. My photos may not fully capture the spirit of this house (they are a little unofficial), but if anything does, it's the tools on the wall in the study adjacent to the dining room. A man after my heart!

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/2-willow-road/

Gold Fingers

'Skyfall' may be in cinemas now and entertaining us in the best of Bond fashion. But where are the new Bond villains based on evil Architects? Even if Erno was apparently rather peeved about Auric Goldfinger being based upon him, I'm sure there's no such thing as bad publicity in cases such as these. So, Mr Mendes, how about it for next time? But which baddie to base him on from today's Starchitects??? Anthony Hopkins could play a good role pulling down some listed buildings in a 3 piece suit with aplomb on his way to world domination, I'm quite sure. Or maybe it's time for a plump Iranian female dominatrix? No names now of course... Well, whatever, in case you don't know the Goldfinger history lesson, it's here:

http://blackcablondon.wordpress.com/tag/erno-goldfinger/