Open House Bendigo returns: 23 + 24 October 2021

OHB-Beehive-Building-restoratioThe Centre for Architecture | Open House Melbourne is excited to announce its return to Bendigo on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 October 2021 (subject to restrictions).

Showcasing more than 20 public projects, buildings, spaces and programs, Open House Bendigo will deliver real-life events as a Covid-safe experience for locals and out-of-towners to enjoy.

The Open House Bendigo Weekend provides a public platform for celebrating quality and purposeful design in the City of Greater Bendigo and will also respond to the impact of the pandemic through the perspective of the regions via events and conversation.

“We look forward to Open House Bendigo shining a light on spaces of architectural excellence, be it significant heritage sites or contemporary design. The program also aims to create a sense of civic pride in our changing urban environment,” said City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Jennifer Alden.

Open House Bendigo invites residents and visitors to celebrate the vibrancy of local contemporary design, the rich history of boom-style architecture, the remarkable social history of Greater Bendigo and wander into diverse spaces as they throw open their doors for the third year in Bendigo.

Highlights of the 2021 program include: an exploration of Bendigo’s ‘Big Build’ projects includes the currently under construction Bendigo Law Courts Development designed by John Wardle Architects that focuses on the creative collaboration with the Dja DjaWurrung Peoples of the Bendigo region.

Also part of the ‘Big Build’, discover the extraordinary masterplan with a tour of the Bendigo TAFE Revitalisation Project, recently completed by Architectus in partnership with Six Degrees.

Additionally, guided architectural tours will be led by Peter Williams of Williams Boag Architects of the Beehive Building, the former Mining Exchange that recently won the John George Knight Award for Heritage Architecture in the 2021 AIA Victorian Architecture Awards.

Other building highlights include: Bendigo Town Hall, Ulumbarra Theatre, The Capital, MacKenzie Quarters and more.

“We are pleased to be working closely with the City of Greater Bendigo to create an inspirational and meaningful 2021 Open House Bendigo program,” said Centre for Architecture | Open House Melbourne Executive Director, Fleur Watson.

“In 2021, we continue to celebrate the extraordinary architecture of the city and explore the region from multiple and diverse perspectives by investigating the creative ideas, design outcomes and policy pathways that support a quality-built environment now and into the future.”


Open House Bendigo takes place Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 October 2021. The full program of tours, workshops and events will launch in early October. For more information, visit: www.openhousebendigo.org for details.

Image: Beehive Building restoration by Williams Boag Architects – photo by Fred Kroh