Hong kong
Open House Hong kong

21-22 & 28-29 September 2024

About Open House Hong Kong

The inaugural edition of Open House Hong Kong is slated to be held on the weekends of 21-22 & 28-29 September 2024. Presented in partnership with Design Trust, the festival provides access and tours to around 50 sites and buildings across the city.

Open House Hong Kong highlights the remarkable cultural and architectural diversity of Hong Kong, allowing attendees to explore a range of building styles. From the city's vernacular architecture, which reflects local traditions and materials, to 19th-century colonial buildings and cutting-edge contemporary designs by renowned local and international "starchitects", – the festival offers a comprehensive glimpse into Hong Kong's evolving built environment. All of this is set against the city's dramatic natural backdrop, including its iconic skyline and meandering coastline.

The festival also holds immense educational value. For architecture students and enthusiasts, it provides a platform to interact with industry experts, learn from the best minds in the field, and gain insights into the industry's future. For the general public, it is an opportunity to understand and appreciate the nuances of design and construction and the role of architecture in shaping a city's identity.

Design Trust is the inaugural partner for the inaugural Open House Hong Kong festival. The event is being organised by a dedicated committee of young Hong Kong-based enthusiasts passionate about showcasing the city's rich architectural legacy to local and global audiences. The organising team is composed of experts and practitioners from various fields, including architects, educators, curators, scholars, and researchers.

Beyond just an architectural festival, Open House Hong Kong offers attendees an immersive cultural experience. In addition to guided tours of normally inaccessible spaces, such as heritage buildings, commercial skyscrapers, museums, and infrastructure, the festival features a variety of complementary programs. These include conversations and dialogues led by experts and enthusiasts, covering design, aesthetics, history, heritage, livability, and sustainability topics.

Through this unique celebration of Hong Kong's architectural diversity, Open House Hong Kong promises to provide an open, inclusive, and enlightening experience for all who attend. By granting public access to the city's built environment, the festival aims to foster a deeper appreciation for Hong Kong's rich cultural and design legacy and stimulate discussions around the role of architecture in shaping urban life. With its inaugural edition in 2024, Open House Hong Kong joins a growing global network of Open House festivals that are redefining how the public engages with the spaces that define our cities.