Open House Milano returns for its 9th edition on the weekend of May 25 and 26. With 100 sites across Milan opening their doors, the festival will showcase a unique blend of large-scale urban projects and intimate private spaces, reflecting the dynamic changes shaping this historic city. Open House Milano invites residents and visitors of the city to experience a diverse programme of guided tours led by a dedicated network of 200 volunteers.

The theme of this year’s event is “City Ecosystem,” envisioning Milan as a dynamic habitat where the human element coexists with the city’s broader urban biodiversity. This theme emphasises the need for a balanced approach to design and social inclusivity, focusing on circularity, redevelopment, and suburban recovery. Key areas of exploration include urban regeneration, the creation of green spaces, and the removal of architectural barriers to enhance accessibility and community engagement.

As part of the Open House Europe 2024 programme, which focuses on accessible and inclusive built environments, Open House Milano seeks to kickstart a conversation about accessibility and inclusion in the contemporary architecture of Milan. The festival will offer guided tours of multiple accessible buildings throughout the city and also aim to include the city’s various communities by offering several tours in English.

The programme of Open House Milano traverses the city’s historical districts—Porta Orientale, Romana, Ticinese, Vercellina, Nuova, and Comasina—each offering a unique perspective on the city’s social and cultural evolution. Highlights of this year’s programme include the newly inaugurated Parco della Luce, a vast 10,000 square metre green area that epitomises the integration of nature within urban settings; and Villaggio Barona, the first social housing intervention created in Italy and entirely financed by private individuals, which represents the creation of accessible and democratic housing communities and territorial connections.

Prior registration is necessary for some guided tours during the festival. To register and access full information about the festival, including the list of open locations and the English language programme, visit openhousemilano.org.

We invite visitors of Open House Milano to participate in the Open Call for Visual Stories. It is an opportunity for everyone to interpret their experiences of the festival and the annual theme of Open House Europe—Accessibility and Inclusion—in any art form they wish—a series of photographs, a short film, a drawing, or any other medium for a visual narrative.