Open House Brno, held on May 17–18, 2025, dedicated its programme to exploring the continent-wide theme of ‘Future Heritage’. The festival successfully integrated this concept by focusing on how cities and architecture transform over time and what legacy current developments might leave. A second main topic was the profound work of architect Bohuslav Fuchs, who navigated Brno’s urban design in the 1930s.

With the theme ‘Future Heritage’, Open House Brno sought to spark a vital conversation about the temporal dimension of the word ‘heritage’. As architectural styles and concepts evolve, depending on the generation of modern architects in question, “heritage” might refer to significant structures from various time periods. The festival therefore opened the doors to buildings from different eras—interwar buildings, often Functionalist in style, post-war structures, frequently Brutalist, as well as works of contemporary architecture. This approach aimed to highlight how seemingly fixed concepts such as past, present, and future are, in fact, rather fluid in the world of architecture.

The selected buildings showcased the diverse ways Brno’s history has been layered and adapted over the centuries.

The House of the Lords of Lipé

One of the oldest surviving buildings in Brno, The House of the Lords of Lipé, provided a powerful visual lesson in architectural transformation. Originally constructed between 1243 and 1260, the structure has undergone many subsequent architectural modifications, and its façade facing náměstí Svobody provides a fascinating and captivating experience.

Known historically as Schwanz Palace, the building was significantly remodelled after 1587, when Kryštof Schwanz entrusted Antonio Gabri with the task of transforming the Gothic house into a three-storey Renaissance palace. The entrance portal and the two cylindrical bay windows, decorated with stone reliefs, were designed by Italian sculptor Giorgio Gialdi. The layering of history continued right up to the 20th century: between 1937 and 1938, architect Bohuslav Fuchs, along with sculptor Antonín Zeithammer, further modified the façade, and painter and graphic artist Emanuel Hrbek contributed the sgraffito decoration.

The Schwanz Palace, with its intact plastic decoration and arcade courtyard, is one of the most important architectural landmarks in Brno. Now serving both commercial and cultural purposes, it demonstrates how structures from the deep past can be actively maintained as part of the ‘Future Heritage’.

Nová Zbrojovka

Providing a stark contrast was the Nová Zbrojovka complex, illustrating how industrial heritage can be revitalised for a contemporary purpose. For over a century, the name Zbrojovka in Brno was known worldwide, producing everything from weapons to computers. After the closure of this famous enterprise in 2006, the industrial complex remained unused and fell into disrepair.

The revitalisation of this attractive, unused industrial site is currently being led by the multifunctional project Nová Zbrojovka. The goal is to breathe new life into this brownfield and create a modern district offering quality housing, services, and recreational opportunities. Crucially, to preserve the unique “genius loci” of the area, the project will retain parts of the original industrial architecture. The Masterplan, won by the Kuba & Pilař architectural firm in 2018, defines the future district’s character. The full regeneration of the area is planned to be completed by 2033, ensuring that the legacy of this rich industrial past is carried forward.

The Janáček Theatre

The Janáček Theatre, one of the largest theatre buildings in Europe, was also a central focus of the programme, showcasing how mid-century structures are evolving into future landmarks. Constructed from 1960 to 1965, it is one of the purest examples of the Brussels style in Brno. The monumental building, designed primarily for large opera and ballet performances, recently underwent a demanding general renovation, during which the original shine of its public spaces was restored.

The reinforced concrete skeleton and steel structure, lightened by aluminium window frames and stone cladding, demonstrate the architecture of its era. The main façade is decorated with balconies and copper sheet parapets created by Eva Kmentová and Olbram Zoubek. Renovations, completed between 2007 and 2013, ensured the auditorium and the entire space in front of the theatre were revitalised, including the addition of a light fountain. The inclusion of the Janáček Theatre in the programme highlighted that structures from the post-war period are now maturing into cultural heritage, worthy of preservation and adaptation for the future.