Open House Melbourne has revealed the full program for its ninth annual Open House Melbourne Weekend on 30 – 31 July 2016 – with over 140 buildings set to open their doors to the public.
In a first for the annual event, Open House’s footprint extends beyond the central city into metropolitan Melbourne, inviting the public to discover our city like never before. Nearly 100 of the buildings will be completely open-access including the Argus Building, Myer Mural Hall, National Tennis Centre, Orica House, Triple R Studios, and the Circus Oz Headquarters.
As always Open House will post regular updates on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep followers in the know on queuing times, navigational tips as well as responding to people’s questions.
Bookings open on Monday 18 July at 8.30am via Eventbrite for buildings that offer prebooked spots. A total of 5000 spots will be made available (up from 800 spots in previous years), making it much easier for Weekenders to book in to tours. A new initiative this year will see the majority of pre-booked tours requiring a small $5 booking fee; however, refunds are available before the day if ticketholders find they can no longer attend, thereby freeing-up spots for others.
Some notable pre-booked tours in this year’s program include Jack’s Magazine in Maribyrnong, the Glenn Murcutt designed Australian Islamic Centre in Newport, Willsmere in Kew, Sun Theatre in Yarraville and The Drill Hall: home of the Snuff Puppets and Women’s Circus in Footscray. There are a number of new Residential properties open in 2016 and people will only be able to view them via pre-booked tours as well.
The Open House Weekend printed program is now available to order. In addition, Readings bookshops will stock the program for the first time, with copies available from 8 July at Readings locations in Carlton, Hawthorn, Malvern, and St Kilda, as well as the State Library.
Since 2008, Open House Melbourne has been championing the city’s architecture and built environment through the July Weekend and year-round program. Open House’s mission is to inform people about what makes for well-designed, vibrant and liveable places now and in the future.
The 2016 Open House Melbourne Weekend runs 30 and 31 July: 10.00am – 4.00pm. For more information, visit: www.openhousemelbourne.org for details.
Image: Sun Theatre, Yarraville (supplied)