Explore Open House Melbourne 2017
With 200 buildings open this weekend, it’s fair to say Open House Melbourne 2017 is celebrating its biggest year yet. Throughout the program, Open House have run events, workshops, and talks by internationally-esteemed architects aimed to increase community engagement, address the city’s critical issues and exchange knowledge and ideas.
At the heart of the Open House Melbourne 2017 annual program is the two-day event occurring on July 29 & 39 which allows the public to explore significant sites and buildings around the city. This year, more buildings have been added and the footprint has extended to include new suburbs such as Beaumaris, Dandenong, Essendon, La Trobe and Ringwood.
Having doubled its list of buildings which are opening their doors this week, planning your itinerary is a must to ensure you get around and see all your favourites.
Open House Melbourne 2017 Highlights
To help you plan your weekend, here are a few buildings that are considered the highlights of this year’s Open House Melbourne event:
HASSELL Studio – converting a neglected 1880s warehouse, HASSELL has celebrated the building’s original construction yet created a light, open space for its team of architects, interior designers, landscape architects and urban designers.
Cox Architecture Studio – home to a leading architecture firm, Cox Architecture Studio is a representation of how the staff work collaboratively and create in a modern office environment.
KPMG – the contemporary new office building has been dubbed the ‘Workplace of the Future’, changing Melbourne’s city skyline.
New Academic Street– transforming the heart of RMIT University’s City Campus, New Academic Street has been designed by a team of leading architects from various firms to deliver students with improved facilities and services.
RMIT Design Hub – the 10-storey building designed by acclaimed architect Sean Godsell has been purpose built to house a creative community of architects, designers, curators, and students.
SIGNAL – located on the city’s Northbank, Flinders Street Stations’ last surviving signal box was transformed in 2009 into a creative studio for people aged between 13-25 years old.
Substation ‘J’ – this electricity zone substation has been converted into residential apartments, however large elements of the original building remain including the control room.
Dark Horse – set amongst a row of workers’ cottages, Dark Horse designed by Architecture Architecture the home offers plenty of surprises.
17 Casselden Place – as Vicotria’s only surviving single-storey worker’s cottage from the early 1860s, this building has both architectural and historical significance.
EQ Tower – designed by Elenberg Fraser, EQ Tower has recently won the Best Residential Hire-Rise Architecture award at the Asia Pacific Property Awards.
Cairo Flats – built in 1936, the Cario Flats introduced this style of apartment living to Australia. The U-shaped apartment building comprises of 36 apartments, 26 studios, and 10 bedroom residences.
Jack’s Magazine – A former explosives store concealed behind a bluestone wall, Jack’s Magazine has been unused since the 1990’s.
MAD House – located in Beaumaris, MAD House is a restored 1961 mid-century modernist family home fit with vintage wallpaper, furniture, lighting and all the modern conveniences well disguised.
While the majority of the buildings will be open-access to the public, some require pre-bookings with guided tours lead by the architects or residents. You can see more details and arrange your itinerary on the Open House Melbourne website.
