MISSION
About
Open House Worldwide is a network of almost 60 organisations hosting festivals and conversations about architecture, design and cities across the globe.
In 2022, nearly 750,000 people participated in Open House festivals, with more than 2 million visits to buildings enabled by 16,000 volunteers. Taken together, Open House Worldwide is the largest celebration of the urban landscape in the world.
The network is a nonprofit registered as a charity in the United Kingdom.
History
Since 1992, Open House Worldwide has engaged citizens, particularly from under-represented backgrounds, to learn about architecture and city making, and have a meaningful role in shaping their future.
From our flagship Open House festivals to pioneering education and public programmes for schools, families, young people and the general public around the world, we open up physical buildings, special places and conversations about architecture and city-making to those who are normally locked out of them.
Our Values
Advocacy
Fostering understanding about the value of a well-designed city and the role of its inhabitants in its creation encourages them to advocate for a well-designed built environment. This includes how architecture addresses environmental, social and economic sustainability.
Dialogue
Creating an accessible and independent platform bridges the gap between experts and users. It gives permission for everyone (including government, private organisations, professional institutions, and the public) to exchange views, comment and engage in the discussion, a true dialogue.
Empowerment
Offering experiences and encouraging dialogue about architecture and urban design creates awareness that the public has a stake in the design, development and care of its city. The city is a ‘shared’ space that is co-created and the city’s inhabitants have the power to change the city development.
Experience
We facilitate opportunities for a city’s inhabitants to experience architecture and demonstrate that well-designed cities can improve people’s lives. By offering free entry to all events, we enable as wide an audience as possible to participate regardless of age, race, gender, education, or architectural expertise.