Open House Melbourne
openhousemelbourne.org
Since 2008, the Open House Melbourne Weekend has quickly grown to become one of Melbourne’s most widely attended cultural events. This year, we are opening more doors than ever before across Metropolitan Melbourne, with a big focus on the West.

“Open House Melbourne is an independent organisation that fosters public appreciation for architecture and public engagement in conversations about the future of our cities.”

Over the weekend of 29 & 30 July there are a lot of buildings open to the public and tours which are conducted. Most of the ticketed events are sold out, but there are many open places which don’t require tickets.

  • NathA
    8·
    1 year ago

    I tried reading the programme, but it was endless scrolling on a phone. If they still open it up, I strongly recommend the underground power substation up near Parliament.

    It was down an alley off Bourke St, you’d never know it was there any other day. It’s one of the first power stations in the world, and it did DC power (not AC). But, the thing that blew my mind is that it had customers buying DC power in the 21st century!!

    Amazing place, super interesting stories and the mercury AC/DC converter thing is beautiful.

  • XiTatiON
    4·
    1 year ago

    If they do the substation visit up the top end of the city again, highly recommend. Though it does sell out fast.

    • Aesecakes
      3·
      1 year ago

      If you aren’t able to reserve a spot to some of the interesting/popular ones, you might end up just going to a bunch of architects studios to look at their little models and promo videos…which is underwhelming and has happened to me before.

      • KagariY2
        1·
        1 year ago

        i decided to drag my hubby to the Werribee mansion instead LOL

    • Rusty Raven OPM
      1·
      1 year ago

      Yeah, I really wish I’d seen it earlier, the tickets went on sale a couple of days ago and sell out almost straight away - it’s not quite as hard to get as Taylor Swift tickets, but definitely getting close! I’ve put my name on the list for emails of future events (I think, the website is pretty dodgy) so hopefully will see it earlier next year.

      • KagariY2
        1·
        1 year ago

        yea i thought i was on the list as well. maybe I missed the email. sadly they are not opening the Manchester Unity Building tower.

  • Railison
    1·
    1 year ago

    Also many of the places out of the CBD are great. I went to a few in the west last year and didn’t regret it!

    • Rusty Raven OPM
      2·
      1 year ago

      I’m definitely keen to get in a bit earlier next year and hopefully get some tickets. There was a house near me that looked really interesting, they had done a complete retrofit to sustainability on an older house typical of my area and I would have loved to be able to do that one.