Coming up: Open House festivals in Helsinki, Oslo, London, and Trondheim

Bryga – Public rooftop park. Photo by Mika Huisman.

OPEN HOUSE HELSINKI
HELSINKI, FINLAND
3-6 SEPTEMBER

From individual buildings to entire city districts, Open House Helsinki invites visitors to discover projects created through architectural competitions. This year’s programme puts architectural competitions in focus as part of the Architectural Association of Finland’s 150th anniversary of Architectural Competitions. The main programme is free for visitors.

Villa Frognæs. Photo courtesy of Open House Oslo

OPEN HOUSE OSLO
OSLO, NORWAY
11-13 SEPTEMBER

The 2026 programme spotlights 1960s–70s architecture alongside historic buildings, contemporary design, and transformation projects, with a highlight being Villa Frognæs—an 1859 mansion opening to the public for the first time as it marks 120 years as the British Ambassador's Residence—and a first-time expansion to Lillestrøm featuring 18 open homes and public buildings. Open House Oslo has also refreshed itself with a new website, digital programme, and a new visual identity by Cathrine Finnema. It's embracing more sustainable materials too, swapping last year's newspaper for a compact printed map and replacing T-shirts with stickers.

Lloyd’s of London. Photo by Bex Rands.

OPEN HOUSE FESTIVAL
LONDON, UK
12-20 SEPTEMBER

The 35th edition of London Open House Festival will open hundreds of buildings and spaces across the city, from landmark sites and heritage buildings to homes, workplaces and infrastructure. Highlights include the Lloyd’s Building, celebrating its 40th birthday, the Zaha Hadid Foundation archive, appearing in the festival for the first time, and Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores, new to the festival. The programme also features neighbourhood trails, behind-the-scenes tours and rarely accessible infrastructure sites, offering new ways to experience London’s built environment.

Tukthuset i Trondheim. Photo by Lucas Scheffer.

OPEN HOUSE TRONDHEIM
TRONDHEIM, NORWAY
12-13 SEPTEMBER

Situated on the Nidelva river and Trondheimsfjord, Trondheim is Norway's medieval capital, founded in 997 AD, with an architectural legacy spanning Nidaros Cathedral, the canal's wooden wharves, and the Cicignon-designed grid of Midtbyen. Open House Trondheim celebrates the city's blend of timber heritage and sustainable design by opening a curated mix of public and private spaces, from the transformed Tukthuset in the city center to terrain-adapted homes in the hills of Byåsen. By letting residents and visitors into spaces normally closed to the public, the festival aims to make architecture accessible and spark conversation about the city's future.