September kicks off with Essen, Bergen, London, and Vienna

Photo courtesy of Open House Essen

OPEN HOUSE ESSEN
ESSEN, GERMANY
7-8 SEPTEMBER

The fourth edition of Open House Essen invites architecture enthusiasts to explore the hidden gems of Essen's northern districts. Highlights include the adaptive reuse of Heilig Geist Church in Essen-Katernberg and the creative repurposing of Hövelstraße Creative Studios, once a carpenter's workshop. The event also features the International Building Exhibition (IBA) Emscherpark Bus Tour, showcasing key urban projects in Essen and Gelsenkirchen.

Photo: Artishot Sollien

OPEN HOUSE BERGEN
BERGEN, NORWAY
14-15 SEPTEMBER

Open House Bergen will open the doors to a variety of fascinating buildings across the Bergen city centre, Sandviken, and Ytre Sandviken. Highlights include a charming 40-square-metre wooden house, the towering 50-metre-high Havnesilo, and historic wooden houses from the 17th century.

This year the focus is on renewal, renovations and transformations, such as a small yet functional extension in Tordenskioldsgate and the revitalisation of university buildings on Nygårdsghøyden.

Photo courtesy of Open City

OPEN HOUSE
LONDON, UK
14-22 SEPTEMBER

Spanning over two weeks, this year’s festival will include all 33 of London's boroughs and promises to be the largest one yet.

Highlights include walking tours of Broadwater Farm Estate murals and an immersive theatrical walk in Somers Town. Notable buildings featured this year are the #Merky FC HQ, the Royal Courts of Justice, Heatherwick Studio’s Making House, Two-up Two-Down House, Walworth Town Hall, and the former British Sailors’ Society Mission. Popular sites such as the BT Tower and 10 Downing Street require ballot entry.

Ankerbrotfabrik Silo. Photo: Thomas Zeller

OPEN HOUSE WIEN
VIENNA, AUSTRIA
14-15 SEPTEMBER

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Open House Vienna will open 55 buildings across Vienna and its surroundings. This year the festival spotlights three major themes: Wood in Architecture showcases sustainable wooden structures like HoHo Wien, Austria's tallest wooden building. Urban Open Spaces highlights green initiatives like the temporary greening of the Museums Quartier and the Free Middle at Nordbahnhof, emphasising the importance of accessible open areas. Finally, Revitalised Industrial Sites explores former factories such as the Ankerbrotfabrik and the Favoritner Gösserhalle, now repurposed as vibrant urban spaces for living, working, and culture.