7 Open House festivals, hundreds of open buildings, accompanying lectures, exhibitions, and other activities—this spring has brought a true celebration of architecture across Europe! Festivals in Athens, Slovenia, Lisbon, Brno, Prague, Vilnius, and Milan invited tens of thousands of visitors to experience quality architecture and learn about accessible and inclusive built environments.

The 2024 edition of Open House Athens, which took place on April 13 and 14, marked ten years of showcasing the city’s cultural heritage, with more than 70 buildings welcoming thousands of visitors. Additional activities, including competitions and tours, enriched the experience, reflecting the event’s commitment to inclusivity and architectural exploration.

The 15th edition of the Open House Slovenia architectural festival came to a successful close on April 14. With sunny weather, visitors explored over 70 projects across Slovenia, experiencing exceptional architecture and learning about building processes and the importance of collaboration. The organisers express their gratitude to the architects, experts, owners, and the entire festival team for making this event possible.

The 13th edition of Open House Lisboa, held on May 11–12, was a great success, with more than 24,000 visits, made possible by a team of 500 volunteers. Curated by sociologist Sandra Marques Pereira and architect Alexandre Marques Pereira, this Open House highlighted the changes that Lisbon has undergone over time. In addition to visits to spaces, there were Plus and Junior activities, tours, accessible visits, and themed collections.

Open House Brno, held on May 18–19, recorded over 31,000 visits, surpassing previous years. The festival featured 116 locations with a strong focus on inclusion and accessibility, offering guided tours, workshops, and exhibitions. Highlights included tours of the AZ Tower and historic villas in Brno. Additionally, nearly 5,000 people tuned into the online programme.

The tenth edition of Open House Praha attracted over 103,000 visits. Notable festival features included visits to the New Orangery and Fanta Building. The festival featured 115 buildings, many usually inaccessible, and included special tours for the visually and hearing impaired. The festival’s focus on accessibility was demonstrated through inclusive activities such as the Open Senses city game, showing the event’s dedication to making architecture available to everyone.

The tenth edition of Open House Vilnius, held on the weekend of May 18–19, welcomed a record-breaking 42,000 visits, offering guided tours of 60 buildings across the city. The theme for this year centred on celebrating the city’s creators, with more than 500 volunteers participating to make the event a success. The event’s success was enriched by artistic performances and engaging conversations with architects, showcasing Vilnius’s architectural diversity and community involvement.

The 2024 edition of Open House Milano was a success, with enthusiastic participation from the audience as doors to 100 places across six districts were opened for exploration. From historic landmarks to modern marvels, the diverse sites were the stars of the event, thanks to the curiosity of the citizens. The event enabled all attendees to explore typically off-limits locations, offering a remarkable experience full of joy and community spirit.

These events were made successful thanks to the dedication of numerous volunteers, including those who had the chance to take part in our Volunteer Exchange programme. We’ll be sharing their experiences throughout the summer!