MINISTER JOSEPHA MADIGAN TD, LAUNCHES OPEN HOUSE DUBLIN 2018 AT 1WML

This afternoon, the 2018 OPEN HOUSE DUBLIN programme was launched by Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan TD, in the Townhall of the newly completed 1WML.

Run by the Irish Architecture Foundation and taking place from October 12^th to 14^th, Open House Dublin 2018 will offer more than 100 buildings to visit, alongside a rich programme of events. All tours and events are free to attend and offer a variety of ways for visitors of all ages to experience and learn about Dublin’s buildings and public spaces. The theme for Open House Dublin 2018 is Tomorrow’s Past: Discover our future heritage and for the first time, the festival programme will feature a building for every decade from 1700 up to present day. Open House Dublin is Ireland’s largest architecture festival.

The Open House Dublin programme is live on www.architecturefoundation.ie/openhouse now. Most building tours and many events are run on a first-come, first-served basis during the festival. However, a number of building tours and events will be ticketed using a lottery system or will require advance booking. Bookings and lotteries open on the 6^th of September until the 24^th of September.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Josepha Madigan TD said, “This year’s theme, Tomorrow’s Past: Discover our Future Heritage, is indeed thought provoking. After all, Architecture is everywhere, all around us, every house, school, office, hospital and supermarket was built for a purpose. What, we can only wonder, will the buildings of today tell future generations about life in 21st century Dublin?.”

Bank of Ireland’s Head of Mortgages, Shane Quinlan, said, “We’re very proud to be partnering with Open House Dublin to help raise awareness of the importance of architecture. We look forward to hosting the ‘Inspiration’ event in College Green on Wednesday 10th October, bringing together a range of experts to provide advice and share tips on all aspects of making a dream home a reality.”

Nathalie Weadick, Director of the Irish Architecture Foundation, added, “Open House Dublin is a force for good. It does more than engage people in architecture, planning and the construction of their city. It peels away layers of history, connecting past with present. It shines a spotlight on the essential issues of the day. It introduces the idea that architecture can impact on our lives and it encourages us to imagine a future and our place in it.”

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OPEN HOUSE DUBLIN 2018 PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
Buildings new to the programme for 2018 include:

St James’s Gate: A rare chance to tour the St James’s Gate Guinness Brewery site and hear about plans for it to be developed as a new urban quarter in Dublin’s Liberties. (This is a lottery event so interest must be registered before 24 September).

The Four Courts: The Four Courts is one of Dublin’s landmark buildings, designed by Thomas Cooley and James Gandon in the late 18th century. Tours will include the Round Hall and the Supreme Court.

Townhall @ 1WML: Visit the ‘Townhall’ of the award-winning 1WML mixed-use development in Dublin’s Docklands, which combines offices, retail and apartments, designed by MOLA Architecture. Winner of the 2018 RIAI award for best Commercial/Workplace building.

George’s Place: An exemplary social housing development in Dún Laoghaire, the 12 high-quality, energy-efficient family homes were designed by DLR Architects with A2 Architects as enabling architects and were built using rapid delivery construction methods.

RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland): Featured in the RTE documentary, The Big Build, and winner of this year’s RIAI public choice award, 26 York Street is a state-of-the art healthcare education building designed by Henry J Lyons.

Node Living: Dublin’s first co-living residence which opened earlier this year. Residents rent fully furnished apartments but can meet and socialise in residents lounges and at organised events. DesignAgency worked with architects NDBA to highlight the building’s ‘deco-retro’ features.

 

Popular buildings returning to the programme this year include:

Department of Finance, Merrion Row: Designed by Grafton Architects, one of Ireland’s most internationally-renowned architecture practices, the Department of Finance building brings contemporary architecture onto a historic Dublin streetscape.

Old Terminal Building, Dublin Airport: Designed in the 1930s by OPW architect Desmond FitzGerald, the Old Terminal Building is considered Ireland’s most important pre-war International Style building. (This is a lottery event so interest must be registered before 24 September)

Dublin Port Precinct: Tour the award-winning public space by Darmody Architects and visit the top floor of the 1970s Scott Tallon Walker building with an expansive view of Dublin Port.

Airbnb: Visit Airbnb’s Dublin headquarters in a former 19^th century ice and cold storage warehouse on the Grand Canal basin, restored and renovated by RKD with a fit-out by Heneghan Peng.

Blackhall Place: The last of Dublin’s Palladian public buildings, construction began in 1773 to designs by Thomas Ivory. Today, the building is home to the Law Society of Ireland who have taken great care to retain many fine interior features.

This year’s programme also includes 12 private homes across the city, including Conservatory Room by David Leech Architects and Haddington Park by Robert Bourke. (A number of private homes are lottery events so interest must be registered before 24 September)

 

 

 

In addition to building tours, Open House Dublin 2018 will feature more than 50 events. Open House Plus offers a range of talks, experiences and tours, on water, by foot and by bike. Selected highlights include:

‘Freespace’ Lecture by Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara of Grafton Architects

Currently the curators of the prestigious architecture exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, this will be the first chance to hear Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara speak in Dublin since the Venice architecture biennale opened in May to great acclaim. Friday 12 October (This event is available to book from 6 September)

Exploring the city from the water

In collaboration with Waterways Ireland, Open House Dublin 2018 will offer a variety of ways to explore the city from the water. Take to the Liffey on paddleboards or kayaks to learn about the city’s development along its banks or join Ruairi Quinn and Seán O’Laoire for a tour of the Dublin Docklands and the Grand Canal Docks from the water. Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 October (These events are lottery and pre-book. Bookings open from 6 September)

 

ReUsing Dublin’s Past for a Housing First Future

One of a number of walking tours in the Open House Plus programme, take an alternative tour of the north inner city with Space Engagers and the Peter McVerry Trust to discover how smartphone users can help gather vital data on vacant houses. Saturday 13 October

Inspiration with Bank of Ireland

Inspiration will bring together a range of experts to provide advice and share tips on all aspects of making a dream home a reality – a must-attend event for anyone planning to buy, build or redesign their own home. Wednesday 10 October (This event is available to book from 6 September)

 

Open House Junior is a programme of architecture-themed events developed for children and young people to explore the city through tours, workshops and self-guided Architreks and Parkitreks. Selected highlights include:

Vacant but Not Empty at Fighting Words

A workshop for 11-13 year olds imagining new uses for a vacant site beside creative writing centre Fighting Words in Dublin 1. Saturday 13 October. (This event is available to book from 6 September)

Families: Reimagine Dundrum!

Imagine Dundrum and architect Patrick Dunne invite families to reimagine Dundrum and decide what will make it a great place for all ages to live in the future. Saturday 13 October

Weaver Parkitrek

A self-guided ‘parkitrek’ for families to discover how design has shaped one of the city’s newest parks, Weaver Park. Maps can be collected from Teeling Whiskey Distillery on Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 October.

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For the latest information on Open House Dublin 2018, follow the Irish Architecture Foundation on
Facebook (@IrishArchitectureFoundation), Twitter (@IAFarchitecture), Instagram
(@IrishArchitectureFoundation) and hashtag #OpenHouseDublin
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Open House Dublin has been presented by the Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF) since 2006 and is part of Open House Worldwide.

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 Dublin City Council and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and supported by The Heritage Council, Government of Ireland, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Waterways Ireland, RTE Supporting the Arts, JCDecaux and Totally Dublin. Open House Dublin 2018 is supported by principal partner Bank of Ireland, sponsors Airbnb and Autodesk and Corporate Circle members Hibernia REIT plc., DNG, Henry J Lyons and Dublin Port Company.

Open House Dublin 2018 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 €3.60. Service Provider: LikeCharity. Helpline: 076 6805278.