citylikeyou — Hampstead Heath — London by Pernilla Ohrstedt

London / Park

Warm summer nights should be spent in the high grass in Hampstead Heath above the ponds. For midsummer bring herring, snaps and songs and stay until sunrise!

Address
Hampstead Heath, Hampstead Tube Station, London, United Kingdom

Architect

Current city: London

pernilla-ohrstedt.com

Shortlisted as Emerging Woman Architect of the Year by Architects Journal,‘new talent’ by the Guardian and ‘one to watch’ by Wallpaper’s Editor Tony Chambers in 2012. Pernilla Ohrstedt was born in 1980 in Stockholm. Her design output has been both in the UK and abroad, spanning the disciplines of experimental art, architecture and curatorial practice. In 2011 Pernilla set a collaborative architecture partnership with Asif Khan. She has collaborated on several celebrated projects with Asif, including Future Memory Pavilion 2011 for British Council and Royal Academy of Arts in Singapore, Cloud 2011 for Design Miami Basel and Colette, Paris. Pernilla & Asif are currently designing Coca-Cola’s pavilion for the London 2012 Olympic Park. The 1000sqm Pavilion is an experimental building called the Beatbox. Collaborating with the music producer Mark Ronson the pavilion seamlessly integrates innovative sound technology and experimental design into a piece of architecture that the visitor will be able to play like a musical instrument.

More Places in London 471

London / Other

Getting lost is an age old suggestion but a good one. Put away your cell phone or your A-Z and just wander around. I still do this regularly even though Ive lived here for nearly 10 years. London is a big city and it drip feeds you its secrets sometimes. You will come across things you wouldn't usually, in amongst the Starbucks and pret a mange there are some amazing sights. Just 'being' somewhere is a great experience and one no guide book can help you find.

London / Cafe

If you are lucky enough to get a table at this tiny 6 table only Café you are in for a real treat. The coffee is great, the cakes are delicious and the staff is friendly in this traditional wifi free (meaning no wifi here) Café. On a quiet day this is the best place to delve into your favourite novel while being caressed by the easy listening aural pleasure of Classic FM. But the real reason I come here is to overhear the conversations of the other customers. More than once did I have to put my book aside to pay closer attention to the charming, wonderful and often nuts conversations going on around me. I've overheard all sorts of discussions varying from 'Psychoanalysis' to 'Proustian ideas', 'Science Fiction' to 'Greek Mythology' and 'African Studies' to 'the takeover of DC Comics'.

London / Restaurant

It's a beautiful place and the food is amazing.

London / Shop

Mei Leaf is a lovely little tea/health shop based in Camden with a friendly staff that are always happy to assist and give advice. I love exploring the many different teas and some of my personal favourites are the: Silk Oolong, Duck Sh*t Oolong, Amber Mountain and Silver Needle. Mei Leaf was established in London in 2006 to represent true tea culture. Don and his team tirelessly explore the mountains of the East to find the most delicious teas on the planet. These are pinnacle teas made by masters from the perfect terroirs and picked at the perfect season.

London / Park

Need some clean air or just a time-out? Kew Gardens is a short train ride away from the city centre but is provides you with space, greenery and and a small holiday for the lungs. The garden contain tropical glasshouses and interesting architecture, so it is a treat for both body and mind.