Speaking about this year’s record number of events and supporters, Nathalie Weadick, Director of the IAF, said “To make this free festival happen, the IAF depends upon the actions, financial contribution and in-kind support of multiple agencies and organisations: not to mention over 300 volunteers and guides. This coming together of civic investment, state support, business partnerships and individual involvement is what enables us to present this wonderful event each year.”

Core supporters of Open House Dublin over the years have been the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht through the Government Policy on Architecture and Dublin City Council. Additional civic support comes from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and, for the first time this year, Waterways Ireland.

This year’s event is sponsored by Airbnb and IAF Corporate Circle members Hibernia REIT plc and DNG. Media partnerships with JCDecaux, Totally Dublin and RTE Supporting the Arts give the event a visual presence in the city that would be otherwise unaffordable. This commitment has helped create the resources to grow the festival significantly, with a 24% increase in visits year on year, from 25,000 in 2015 to 31,000 in 2016. The promotion and programme development enabled by partnerships have also helped the IAF to broaden audiences, with, for example, young adult (18-25 years) attendance jumping from 9% in 2014 to 16% in 2016, making Open House Dublin an important catalyst to instill the importance of our built environment in young people.

Aisling Hassell, Airbnb Global Head of Customer Experience commented: Airbnb is delighted to partner with the IAF to support Open House Dublin 2017. Airbnb is committed to helping make cities stronger socially, economically, and environmentally and for the first time, we are extending beyond our hosts showcasing their homes to also enabling visitors to try a sample of our newly launched Airbnb Experiences in Dublin. With the introduction of Airbnb Experiences, we’re thrilled to help expand the Open House Plus offering to create the biggest ever Open House Dublin weekend.

This year’s programme includes four architect-designed homes listed on Airbnb, one of which is the Container House in Ringsend, a pioneering family home made entirely from 11 shipping containers, designed by LiD Architecture. For the first time this year, three ‘tasters’ of the newly launched Airbnb Experiences will also be available for Open House Dublin attenders – including a Street Photography Experience hosted by the founder of the Irish Street Photography Group, a Dublin City Night Shoot led by professional photographer John Lalor and U2’s Docklands Adventure walking tour. Airbnb will also open up their popular international hub at Hanover Quay, beautifully restored and renovated by fit-out architects Heneghan Peng and landlord architects RKD, which was the most visited building in last year’s festival.

The theme for the 2017 outing of this free annual celebration of the city’s best architecture is The City as a Stage. The full Open House Dublin 2017 programme will be announced on 7th September 2017. Full OPEN HOUSE DUBLIN 2017 programme will be available to view online at www.architecturefoundation.ie/openhouse from September 8th 2017.

Most building tours are open on a first-come, first-served basis. A small number of building tours will be available to book on a lottery basis: lotteries will be open from September 8th to 25th 2017. For the latest information on Open House Dublin 2017, follow the Irish Architecture Foundation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @IAFarchitecture – #OpenHouseDublin – #IAFlove

Open House Dublin is presented by the Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF) and is part of the Open House Worldwide Family. The IAF, who delivered its first Open House Dublin in 2006, has firmly established the project as Ireland’s largest architectural event with an estimated 31,000 building visits in 2016. Established in 2005, the IAF’s role is to be a vibrant and passionate organisation that excites its audiences about the value of architecture. The Irish Architecture Foundation is funded by the Arts Council, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Office of Public Works. Open House Dublin is partnered with the Government Policy on Architecture and Dublin City Council and is supported by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Waterways Ireland, JCDecaux, Totally Dublin, RTE Supporting the Arts and Open House Worldwide. Open House Dublin 2017 is sponsored by Airbnb and Corporate Circle members Hibernia REIT plc and DNG.

Open House Dublin 2017 is again collaborating with Peter McVerry Trust by offering all proceeds of the Open House “Text to Donate” button to their cause. To donate, text OHD to 50300. Text costs €4. Peter McVerry Trust will receive a minimum of €3.25. (100% of text cost goes to Peter McVerry Trust across most networks. Some providers apply VAT which means that a minimum of €3.25 goes to the charity). Service provider: LikeCharity. Helpline: 076 6805278.