This year, the Open House Dublin festival of architecture held a mirror to the city and county, inviting thousands of people to debate and discuss all that they see, hear and feel about this city and county. Mirrors allow us to see ourselves. They can show us the world, reflecting the vision and values that underpin a society as it builds. Our aim across nine days in October was to broaden and increase that vision and to challenge our values because, in reality, not all people see themselves or their needs reflected in the built world around them. Increasingly the task for the Irish Architecture Foundation is to work to reveal and lay bare the ways and the means, the process and the practices by and through which some are excluded from fully and actively participating in our built environment and the society it is intended to serve. Vital to health and wellbeing, and to a clear coherent sense of ourselves and where we belong, a built environment must be funded, designed, built, used, and maintained with all in mind, with all in heart, giving all a hand. Open House Dublin is a festival through which we as an organisation seek to champion architecture to become a more potent tool, both publicly and politically, to advance a better, fairer, more joyous and just Dublin for all. We will continue to hold that mirror, and to encourage more reflections in our next festival in 2025.
Emmett Scanlon
Director, Irish Architecture Foundation
Support us by becoming a Friend of the IAF and learn more about the work we do at http://www.architecturefoundation.ie
All Open House events are Free of charge. Our programme is a mix of guided tours and events that need to be pre-booked on the website and guided tours and events which are open for you to join at dedicated times over the weekend.
Booking for pre-book tours opens 9am 19 September. For tours with very limited places you may be asked to pay a ‘no show’ fee when booking. We introduced this fee as the majority of Open House events are hosted by people and organisations voluntarily and there is high demand for places. We want to ensure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to attend our events. You will not be charged this fee once you cancel your places at least 48hrs in advance of your tour/event. We realise however that providing payment details is not always possible so if you have any issues with this whatsoever please contact bookings@archtiecturefoundation.ie and we will assist with your booking.
Please be respectful and kind to all Open House Dublin staff and volunteers. Remember this is a free festival which depends on the incredible generosity, passion and experience of all our volunteer stewards, guides, architects, building owners and visitors.
Choose the IAF Friends Plan that suits you and enjoy the benefits of being part of one of Ireland’s most exciting and original cultural organisations. Or spread the love and give the gift of IAF Friendship, and inspire your friends and family with the gift of a whole year of unique IAF experiences.
The Irish Architecture Foundation is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland, Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage and the Office of Public Works.
We are part of an exciting collaboration project co-funded by the European Union. Open House Europe is a cooperation project that connects different Open House festival organisers across Europe and enables their collaboration and knowledge exchange. By encouraging and promoting an interest in architecture among various audiences, Open House Europe helps residents gain new perspectives on their local surroundings and invites them to envision the shared future of European architecture.
Annual Theme
Throughout the year, different local Open House events across Europe respond to a common Annual Theme that highlights the challenges faced by society. For 2024 this theme is Access and Inclusion
Annual Summit
Once a year, the Open House community, architecture enthusiasts and professionals gather at the Annual Summit to reflect on the Annual Theme and yearly achievements. The next Annual Summit will be hosted by the IAF at Dublin Castle in January 2025.
Volunteer Exchange Programme
Open House Europe enables volunteers to travel between partner organisations and build their experience by helping to implement different local Open House events. Applications for the 2025 Volunteer Exchange programme will open in March 2025.
Visual Stories Competition
Each year, visitors and participants to Open House Dublin are encourage to capture their experiences of the festival and to enter the Visual Stories competition.
Learn more about the Open House Dublin architecture festival and our impact in 2023
