The 2025 edition of Open House Essen focuses on the theme “Future Heritage: The Legacy of Tomorrow”. It explores which buildings and spaces will become the architectural heritage of the future—from historic structures to innovative new projects. As a partner of Open House Europe, the festival raises discussions about what should be preserved and what should be transformed, and how we can shape a liveable and fair future. It encourages reflection on pressing issues such as climate change, democracy, urbanisation, and inclusion. 

Together with visitors, the festival promises to open new perspectives on tomorrow’s heritage. Open House Essen offers everyone the opportunity to be inspired by architecture while encouraging lively debate: Is a concrete cube unattractive simply because it is concrete? What gives a crooked half-timbered house its special character? Can a reconstruction ever match the original? Visitors may dive into the history of buildings and the stories of those who use them or simply wander and take in impressions. Throughout the weekend, the team and locals will answer questions, guide tours, and give talks on architecture and the city’s history.

The festival’s programme offers a look behind the facades of some of Essen’s most fascinating sites—from industrial halls to places of worship, from office towers to private homes. Highlights include the Schaudepot of the Ruhr Museum, the Episcopal General Vicariate, the repurposed St. Gertrud Church—now the Creative Cathedral TRUDI—and Essen Cathedral, the city’s oldest monument. The Heilig Geist Art Space at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein returns in a newly developed form as an independent space for art, architecture, and dialogue, hosting the exhibition “Erlösung NOW” by Ana Gropp-Kondić and Ernesto Herrera Orta, alongside talks and workshops.

Open House Essen is also about encounters and conversations. At the Ayasofya Mosque in Katernberg, visitors will be welcomed not only with a guided tour but also with a glass of çay, creating space for dialogue about architecture, culture, and community. The Pestalozzi Settlement “Neuhof” will tell the story of a housing estate once built for young miners, while the freshly renovated Gebrandenhof will open on 7 September, offering insight into a modern restoration project.

Alongside guided tours, new formats will enrich the 2025 programme. A silent walk through Zollverein with noise-cancelling headphones will allow for concentrated, quiet exploration of the World Heritage Site, while moderated conversations will invite discussion on architectural, historical, and social topics.

Organised by Forum Kunst und Architektur e.V., Open House Essen is the first and so far the only German member of the international Open House Worldwide network. This year, the festival is under the patronage of Mayor of Essen Thomas Kufen.

We invite all visitors of Open House Essen to participate in the Open Call for Visual Stories—an opportunity to creatively interpret the festival experience and this year’s Open House Europe theme, “Future Heritage”. Submissions can take any visual form, including photography, short film, drawing, or other artistic expressions.

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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.

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