There are historical and contemporary tours of iconic buildings, private homes, exemplary social housing projects, public spaces and parks, all led by expert guides. You can drop in to film screenings and exhibitions, join boat tours of Dublin Port, as well as cycling and walking tours, and you can even experience a site-specific theatre performance about family history and brutalist architecture. With special events and activities for young people and families, there really is something for everyone.

Highlights of this year’s programme include:
● New additions, including Dublin’s highest office space, the Exo Building designed by Shay Cleary Architects and MCA Architects; the Irish Aviation Authority’s new Air Traffic Control Tower at Dublin Airport designed by architects Scott Tallon Walker, which, standing at 87.7m high, makes it Ireland’s tallest occupied structure; One Microsoft Place, the tech giant’s new headquarters with tours led by architects RKD; tours of the new Ropemaker Place and Sorting Office urban quarter in Dublin’s Docklands designed by architects Henry J Lyons; and tours led by DLR Architects of the new Dún Laoghaire Baths.

● Residential homes, including the US Ambassador’s Residence in the Phoenix Park; architect Declan Scullion’s renovation of an existing Victorian terraced house in Vavasour Square in Sandymount; and 9/9a Aungier Street, believed to be the oldest home in Dublin city at 350 years old.

● Exemplary social housing projects, including Dublin City Council’s Dominick Street Regeneration project by architects Carr, Cotter + Naessens in collaboration with Denis Byrne Architects.

● Open House Dublin events in Fingal will include expert-led tours of Fingal County Hall, Swords Castle and the great hall conservation at Malahide Castle.

● This year’s Big Debate event will discuss what the future holds for Dublin’s built environment. Taking place on the 14th October at The Science Gallery, Trinity College Dublin, the debate will be hosted by architect VRIAI & VAI Róisín Murphy and will include architect Valerie Mulvin, Francis Doherty of Peter McVerry Trust, poet Hazel Hogan, documentary producer Geoff Power and journalist Laoise Neylon.

● Officially opening at Open House Dublin will be Housing Unlocked, a joint initiative between the IAF and the Housing Agency. Eight ground-breaking ideas will be put on display at an exhibition in The Science Gallery, Trinity College Dublin, developed by forward-thinking teams who are keen to solve the housing crisis. Could repurposing empty churches, vacant shop units and closed banks be the answer?

● Open House Dublin also offers young people and families the chance to get up close with architecture through workshops and activities at the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum and the Chester Beatty Library. Families can also embark on self-guided Architreks tours designed by architects.

● The Site-Specific Film Series, a programme of short documentaries commissioned by the IAF during the pandemic, will explore the personalities, processes, complexity, creativity and transformative impact that surround the act of designed space. The 17 films will be screened in Meeting House Square, Temple Bar on the Friday and Saturday night during the festival.

All Open House Dublin events are free, but booking is required for some. Booking for ticketed events opens at 10.00am on the 21st September.

Full details of the programme can be found here: OpenHouseDublin.com.