2017 Program Launch

Posted Thu 15th Jun 2017 | efront

Open House Melbourne Weekend 2017 10th Anniversary Program announced

The annual Open House Melbourne Weekend 2017 Program was launched this morning at the RMIT New Academic Street precinct, celebrating the organisation’s 10th Anniversary.   

On Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 July, over 200 buildings around Melbourne will open their doors to the public. 84 new buildings have been added to the program this year and Open House’s footprint has been extended further into new suburbs Beaumaris, Bangholme, Brighton, Dandenong, Essendon, La Trobe, Mill Park and Ringwood.

Lord Mayor of Melbourne Robert Doyle AC encourages Melburnians and visitors to attend this unique event. “Melbourne’s contemporary and heritage architecture gives our city its unique character and the stories behind our buildings are important chapters in our history,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Each year thousands of visitors have the opportunity to explore some of Melbourne’s most magnificent buildings and enjoy rare access to the nooks and crannies that are not usually accessible to the public.

“The City of Melbourne has been a proud partner of Open House since the first event 10 years ago. Of almost 200 buildings open to the public this year, 87 are in the City of Melbourne. I encourage you to visit as many as you can including our environmentally progressive Council House 2, to Library at the Dock, Melbourne City Baths and Melbourne Town Hall.”

RMIT Acting Vice-Chancellor and President, Dionne Higgins said as a global university of technology, design and enterprise, they are proud to be showcasing the New Academic Street precinct. 

“Four iconic Swanston Street buildings have been re-imagined, creating some of the most dynamic and exciting student spaces in the heart of the city.

“From the cutting-edge media precinct and expanded library to light-filled lane-ways and garden terraces, five different architects – each RMIT alumni – have collaborated to transform the student experience,” Higgins said.

In 2017, Open House Melbourne has evolved into a public architecture organisation that empowers citizens to be active participants in the building of their city. An annual program of talks, tours, workshops and interviews explore issues, challenges and success stories of Melbourne’s built environment.

The Open House Melbourne 2017 Printed Program is now available to pre-order exclusively through Readings online. The program will also be available to purchase in-store at Readings locations in Carlton, Hawthorn, Malvern, St Kilda and the State Library later this month.

With a whole host of events, including tours, talks, screenings, panels, performances and more, there is something for everyone throughout the month of July, as part of the Open House 10th Anniversary. 
Take a look at the full line-up of events here.
And see the full building list here.