Buildings by their nature are designed to a greater or lesser degree to keep things, including people, out. Open House Dublin, now entering its 9th year, is Ireland’s largest architecture festival which sees buildings throughout the city and beyond open their doors, put out their welcome mats and invite the public inside. The event is organised by the Irish Architecture Foundation, whose mission is to nurture the public’s engagement with the built environment. Architecture is often regarded as a living thing. With that in mind, social interaction should be considered key to its survival and evolution.
Uncontainable within a designated space such as a gallery, architecture as an art form thrusts itself upon us at every available opportunity. It resides, in some form or another, never too far outside our field of vision. Perhaps this immense level of exposure is why we may not be as conscious of buildings as we ought to be — despite playing a crucial role in daily lived experience, they are often taken for granted and not afforded a deserved closer look. Open House Dublin, then, is a celebration of Dublin’s rich and diverse architectural repertoire which is especially pertinent in a city whose built environment is so eclectic, wide-ranging and dynamic in style and ideas.
With a dauntingly full programme this year, tn2 decided to try and make your Open House Dublin weekend a little bit easier to negotiate by seeking out recommendations from the IAF team.
Nathalie Weadick, Director of the IAF.
“I would recommend any event in the newly launched Open House Plus programme. This is a new initiative that allows the Irish Architecture Foundation programme content that can discuss the subject beyond the look and feel of architecture, to incorporate the impact and effect of buildings on the environment and on us. I would particularly recommend Learning from Housing, an exhibition in The Fumbally Exchange, Dame Lane about that most important and personally identifiable area of architecture: our home. With a new generation of housing being debated, and about to be planned, designed and built, the exhibition questions how we address the need for good quality sustainable design in a time of personal and national economic crisis. Willwe have learned anything from the past? I hope so.”
Phoebe Brady, Open House Dublin Coordinator.
McKee Court Senior Citizens Housing – Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin.
“I’m quite interested in the way this project deals with providing safe and considered housing for the elderly in the city. It is on a really steep site but this open space between the houses is cleverly designed to encourage the community it caters for to meet and mingle. The paving is colourful and patterns change artistically, so that it subtly defines public and private areas.”
Rachel Gallagher, Volunteer Coordinator.
Shanganagh Bray Main Drainage Scheme – Shankill, County Dublin.
“It’s waste water treatment on a huge scale which doesn’t sound that glamorous but it’s in a beautiful setting and OHD is a great opportunity to explore a new part of the city and a type of building you would never normally get to see. I love to pack city centre buildings in on Saturday and take a day trip on Sunday. I got a tip that it was a really fun tour last year too.”
Rachel McAree, Education Curator.
The Geometry Jenga of Casino Marino (Open House Junior, for 10-13 year olds)
“Ok I’m a little too old now but this workshop does make me wish I was 11 or 12. A building as a geometry game for young explorers, how perfect is that?!”
Luis Pedro, Web Editor.
Senior Common Room & Loos Bar – Trinity College Dublin.
“I am really curious to understand how the adaptation of the Loos Bar by de Blacam and Meagher relates with the existing building by Richard Castle, and how its original designed adjusted the new function. I think this dialogue between the 3 different architects, generations and places is quite unique and exciting.”
Deirdre Patton, Development Officer.
Ballyroan Library and Ruah Pastoral Centre – Rathfarnham, Dublin 14.
“It’s a really great building complex and public space that responds to the needs of the community so it serves like all good architecture should! What’s more it is a cluster of really peaceful spaces and there is plenty of beautiful natural light.”
