Coming up: Open House festivals in Porto, Brisbane, and Melbourne

Variations within a Box. Photo courtesy of Open House Porto

OPEN HOUSE PORTO
PORTO, PORTUGAL
4-5 JULY

Open House Porto returns with the theme Pentimenti, drawing inspiration from the idea of visible traces and overlapping layers. Highlights include Serralves, Casa da Arquitetura, the Lionesa Business Hub, the former Matosinhos refinery, M-odu (old Matadouro do Porto), and new openings such as Outeiro cooperative housing and Alfândega do Porto de Leixões. Alongside visits, workshops and activities like Open Office, Bússola Arquitetónica and Obra Aberta invite audiences to engage directly with architects and explore the city in new ways.

Yeronga House. Photo by Shantanu Starick.

OPEN HOUSE BRISBANE
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
18-19 JULY

Open House Brisbane presents its 17th edition with its most ambitious programme yet, opening 93 buildings across Greater Brisbane, including a record 16 private homes and more than 30 sites taking part for the first time. Highlights include first-time access to 205 North Quay, 360 Queen Street, the Translational Research Institute, and the National Rugby Training Centre at Ballymore, alongside returning favourites such as Brisbane City Hall and Government House. 

Materia. Photo by Peter Bennetts.

OPEN HOUSE MELBOURNE
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
24-26 JULY

This edition of Open House Melbourne offers more than 180 tours, talks, and behind-the-scenes experiences, opening the doors to some of the city's most intriguing spaces. Under the theme Generous City, the festival explores how architecture and design can foster more open, inclusive, and connected communities. Highlights include first-time access to the Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre, the Transurban Freeway Control Centre, Melbourne Airport’s new drop-off and pick-up zones, and Foodbank Victoria’s new headquarters.