From historic landmarks to private housing projects, creative studios, workshops, and former industrial sites, Open House Essen 2025 laid bare the evolution of the city. Essen is marked by transformation—both in the built environment and among those who reside within it. Consequently, the festival’s exploration of the continent-wide theme, “Future Heritage – Das Erbe von Morgen”, focused on what future generations might consider worth preserving.

The programme was curated to ask a vital question: which buildings, spaces, and ideas today will define the Essen of tomorrow? The city provided a unique backdrop for this inquiry, shaped as it is by industrial heritage, new ecological visions, shifting demographics, and debates on inclusive urban development. This theme was realised through curated tours, expert talks, workshops, and encounters with architects, residents, and representatives of different cultures.

Kunstraum Heilig Geist

With around 50% of churches closing, visitors were especially curious to witness the fate of sacred spaces that have found new life. The Heilig-Geist Church exemplifies the festival theme; originally designed by Gottfried Böhm as a striking architectural “tent” in the industrial landscape near the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein, it demonstrates how visionary design can shape the future of a city’s heritage. Today, as Kunstraum Heilig Geist, it continues to inspire the community. Visitors here were treated to an organ concert, hands-on workshops with a carpenter on sustainable design, and a lively Forum for Young International Architects, creating a space for dialogue and exchange.

Kreativ Kathedrale TRUDI

Similarly, the former St. Gertrud Church, now TRUDI, illustrates how historic religious buildings can be creatively repurposed. Once a church, the building now serves as a home for an art students’ school, combining its rich architectural character with contemporary educational and cultural use. This transformation highlights how the preservation of architectural heritage can be balanced with new functions, keeping the building alive and relevant.

Pestalozzi-Siedlung “Neuhof”

Beyond religious sites, the Pestalozzi-Siedlung “Neuhof” in Katernberg stood out as a powerful example of how social responsibility and post-war reconstruction become part of a city’s living heritage. Built in the post-World War II era to provide stable homes for young miners and displaced youth, Neuhof combined work at the nearby Zeche Zollverein with family-style housing. During the festival, visitors joined guided tours led by house owners within a private residence, witnessing how the site offered security and a sense of belonging in challenging times.

Städtebau meets Open House Essen

Finally, the “Städtebau meets Open House Essen” exhibition bridged academic design thinking with lived cityspace. In cooperation with RWTH Aachen University, this project brought together student-designed urban planning projects and the real-world architecture of the region.

Ultimately, the programme helped visitors connect the dots between historical locations and innovative projects, delving into how climate change, democracy, accessibility, and social justice shape and influence our future architectural heritage.