This year, the Irish Architecture Foundation invited audiences to gather for Open House Dublin, presenting nine days of talks, exhibitions, and tours. The festival explored the Open House Europe theme of ‘Future Heritage’ by focusing on the present and the now. It celebrated the stories of Dublin as they were lived and experienced, examining how these narratives shaped the city’s tomorrow. From O’Connell Street to the coast, and from the mountains to the metro, Open House Dublin opened doors across the city and county.

The festival’s visual campaign anchored itself on O’Connell Street, a location where the past, present, and future converge, using the street’s layered histories to frame the concept of Future Heritage. This theme came alive during guided tours along O’Connell Street led by writer Karl Whitney, alongside visits to the General Post Office (GPO), which had not been accessible to the public for some years.

Future Heritage deepened the understanding of architecture’s role in building a shared future for Dublin. The intergenerational aspect of heritage was further nurtured in the ‘Fingal Future Visions’ exhibition at Malahide Library, where children envisioned what Fingal might look like in twenty years. Through creative workshops, such as those at the National Gallery of Ireland, visitors imagined how art, architecture, and inclusivity could shape tomorrow’s cultural spaces.

The programme highlighted specific sites that embodied these ideals. One of them, the Irish Architectural Archive at No. 45 Merrion Square, illustrated the preservation, documentation, and sharing of Ireland’s architectural legacy. As both a historic Georgian townhouse and the home of the Archive, the building demonstrated how conserving the past informs future design and cultural understanding. Through tours and exhibitions, visitors experienced how the Archive safeguards knowledge, craftsmanship, and creativity.

Shifting focus to urban evolution, the ‘Layers of Change: A Walk Through Newmarket and the Liberties’ tour explored one of the oldest and most authentic quarters of Dublin. Historically home to the city’s industry, commerce, and housing challenges, the area was shown to have transformed into a vibrant urban hub with a distinct identity. The walking tour examined the ongoing transformation of the Liberties, focusing on both housing and industrial projects. By examining these layers of change, the tour encouraged reflection on how past and present coexist, demonstrating how guiding urban evolution is central to the creation of Dublin’s Future Heritage.

Tours of the Custom House explored one of Dublin’s most iconic heritage landmarks. Beginning in the main reception, visitors learnt about James Gandon’s neoclassical design and the sculptural details that define the building. The tour included the only room to survive the War of Independence fire and concluded with insights into the major 1920s and 1980s restorations. These efforts restored the Custom House to its former grandeur, cementing its status as a lasting symbol of Ireland’s architectural heritage and resilience.

Throughout the festival, IAF House returned as a free and accessible public venue in Charlemont Square, welcoming visitors to exhibitions and conversations. Open House Junior engaged young people through workshops, while Open Studios offered behind-the-scenes access to architectural practices, including O’Donnell + Tuomey and Henry J Lyons.

With free events for all ages, the festival invited people to celebrate what had already been built and to take part in shaping what came next. Visitors came for the buildings, stayed for the talks, and left with a renewed sense of Dublin’s heritage, its future, and their shared role within it.