From October 1 to 6, Open House Bilbao returns with an exciting programme that invites the public to explore the city’s rich architectural landscape through fresh and innovative lenses. This year, the festival embraces an open, inclusive approach, showcasing architecture in all its forms—from traditional spaces to new, unconventional practices that reflect the changing face of the profession. 

The 8th edition of Open House Bilbao seeks to expand the public’s understanding of architecture by highlighting its diversity. The festival will explore how the profession has evolved since the 2008 economic crisis, offering visitors the chance to engage with hybrid, sustainable, and participatory approaches to design. By featuring architectural practices that focus on community, ecology, and creative innovation, the festival aims to expand the public’s view of architecture, showcasing not only iconic buildings but also lesser-known projects that challenge and diversify the traditional narrative of the field.

This year, Open House Bilbao introduces a range of activities designed to engage participants of all ages and backgrounds. The festival’s programme is structured around six key actions: WALK, TALK, DESIGN, PLAY, SEE, and VISIT. Visitors can embark on thematic urban walks that explore the relationship between neighbourhood design and community life or join family-friendly tours that use play to explore Bilbao’s architectural heritage. Creative workshops and exhibitions will offer additional ways to engage with the city’s built environment.

As part of the Open House Europe 2024 programme, which focuses on accessibility and inclusion, Open House Bilbao places a strong emphasis on these issues. From guided walks led by experts in social design to creative workshops on inclusive urbanism, the programme is designed to engage participants from all walks of life. The interactive workshop ‘Rethinking School Playgrounds’ will explore the importance of inclusive and healthy educational spaces, while the discussion ‘Ladies Make the City’ will focus on the vital role women play in architecture, urban planning, and design.

As always, visitors will have the opportunity to explore over 70 architectural spaces throughout the city, including new additions to the festival’s catalogue. Guided tours, many of which require no prior registration, will provide a unique chance to learn more about the city’s architectural treasures, from contemporary buildings to historically significant sites. Special visits to peripheral areas and emerging local studios will also offer a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and opportunities faced by today’s architects.

Open House Bilbao 2024 celebrates architecture’s diversity, innovation, and potential to transform communities. With a wide variety of events, tours, and activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Don’t miss your chance to explore Bilbao’s architectural heritage and discover new ways of thinking about the spaces we live and work in. Explore the full festival programme at openhousebilbao.org.

We invite visitors of Open House Bilbao 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.