OPEN HOUSE 2009: ARCHITECTURE IN DUBLIN AND GALWAY
Open House Dublin: 8-11 October // Open House Galway: 16-18 October
The Irish Architecture Foundation is delighted to announce the fourth annual Open House Dublin – where over one weekend, buildings selected for their architectural quality and interest open their doors to the public from 8 to 11 October 2009.
The programme will be available in print from Temple Bar Cultural Information Centre and various locations around the city as well online (www.architecturefoundation.ie/openhouse) from Wednesday 16 September.
OPEN HOUSE DUBLIN will put the spotlight this year on innovative ‘next generation’ buildings, from the small scale of the private house - such as an A3-Rated (BER) Family Home in Rathmines by FKLarchitects - to corporate headquarters including the landmark Eircom 1 Heuston South Quarter in Kilmainham, by Anthony Reddy Associates, designed to drastically reduce energy consumption.
Buildings in the 2009 programme range from the secular to the sacred with the multi-award winning Pump House in Clontarf by de Paor Architects and a new Parish Centre for the Church of St George and St Thomas in Dublin by Clancy Moore Architects. Pioneering new housing schemes such as O’Donnell + Tuomey’s Timberyard are featured alongside new community centres such as Ballyfermot Youth and Leisure Centre by McGarry Ni Eanaigh. “Whether it is through designing the next generation of sustainable buildings or developing expert retrofit solutions – architects are constantly engaged in creative problem solving and Open House showcases their innovation”, says Programme Curator Dr Sandra O’Connell.
In addition, a special educational programme will enthuse children and young adults about architecture and their environment and the popular Open Debate returns with a panel of architects, urban designers and economists, debating the need for innovative solutions to designing for communities in the current economic climate.
Going nationwide for the first time this year, buildings of architectural quality and interest will open their doors to the public in OPEN HOUSE GALWAY from 16 to 18 October 2009. “We are delighted to introduce Open House to Galway”, says Lorna Maguire, Co- ordinator. “We have put together an exciting programme of architecturally-interesting buildings both in the city and its environs. These include private residential and public buildings ranging from contemporary, energy-efficient homes to commercial, public and educational buildings, incorporating sustainable materials and quality design.”
The Irish Architecture Foundation, who delivered its first Open House Dublin in 2006, has firmly established the project as Ireland’s largest architectural event with an estimated 15,000 people taking to the streets at almost 140 events, ranging from building, walking, boat and cycling tours, to explore their city’s architecture. The IAF is delighted to welcome the expansion of Open House beyond Dublin in 2009 and looks forward to the event growing nationally over the coming years.
All Open House events are free of charge, and only a small proportion will require pre-booking. A full programme of events will be available (print and online) in early September 2009.
For media information, contact Annette Nugent /annettenugent@iol.ie /+353.86.6820971
