Open House Essen returns on the weekend of September 7 and 8, inviting architecture enthusiasts to explore the hidden gems of Essen’s northern districts. The fourth edition of the festival, themed “Transformation in the Ruhr Area: Buildings. People. Dialogue,” offers a unique opportunity to discover remarkable buildings and the stories behind them, many of which are typically off-limits to the public.

Ahead of the main weekend, a special discussion on September 3 will delve into the legacy of the International Building Exhibition (IBA) Emscherpark. This event, moderated by Marius Hanke, will feature prominent figures such as architect Peter Brdenk, Dr. Christina Anna Kloke from TU Dortmund, architect Christian Kohl, and Dr. Irene Wiese-von Ofen, the former city planning director of Essen. The panel will explore the lasting impact of the IBA on the Ruhr area and consider whether the region might benefit from a new IBA initiative.

Festival highlights include a visit to the Heilig Geist Church in Essen-Katernberg, now a striking example of adaptive reuse, and a tour of the Hövelstraße Creative Studios, which have been transformed from a former carpenter’s workshop into vibrant spaces housing creative professionals. Additionally, an exclusive bus tour will take participants through Essen and Gelsenkirchen, showcasing key architecture and urban development projects from the IBA Emscherpark.

Running alongside these events, the Open House Europe Visual Stories exhibition at the Forum Kunst und Architektur will be open from August 22 to September 8. This international exhibition features visual narratives on architecture and sustainability from twelve European cities, offering a broader perspective on architectural transformation.

Open House Essen 2024 is more than just an exploration of buildings; it fosters a lively dialogue about the past, present, and future of the region. With expert-led tours and engaging discussions, the festival promises a weekend full of discovery and inspiration, welcoming everyone to join in the journey through the evolving landscapes of Essen.

We invite visitors of Open House Essen 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.