Chance to see inside some gorgeous private homes in Melbourne
This month’s Open House Melbourne (OHM) Program has been announced, with an exciting program of almost 200 buildings, tours, cultural events, design talks and family friendly experiences for every Melburnian. More than 70,000 people are expected to attend the weekend when the city’s most intriguing venues open their doors.
The 2023 program offers unique experiences across metropolitan Melbourne for families, long-time residents, students, and lovers of architecture and good design, including Making Home, an inspiring talk and tour series exploring the best of Victoria’s social and affordable housing; a sneak peek at the soon-to-be open Holocaust Museum; a film celebrating the career of venerated Melbourne architect, Kerstin Thompson; and 16 modern and historical Melbourne homes open to the public for tours.
Open House Melbourne invites you to discover your city and explore spaces not typically open to the public. Executive director and chief curator, Tania Davidge says: “As Melbourne expands to reach a projected population of 8 million by 2050, our theme for Open House Melbourne 2023, Collective City, seeks to explore how will we reinvent, repurpose and adapt our city to live better together now, and into the future.
“We want to inspire every Victorian to consider the principles of good design so together we can advocate for a more equitable and welcoming city that meets the needs of all Melburnians. Our program for 2023 reflects our desire for all to come to a shared understanding of the best way to shape the future of the city.”
Post-pandemic, private home tours return with gusto with many more doors to historical, sustainable and stylish contemporary houses open across Melbourne. Highlights include the Lippincott House, a two-storey house co-designed by famed Canberra architect Walter Burley Griffin; Gantry House, a modern cottage home to a creative multigenerational family of seven with a focus on sustainability, and Blackburn North Passive House, a unique and sustainable renovation on a budget that preserves the homes original 1950 charm.
Open House Melbourne offers experiences for all ages and interests and this year’s more unique activities include Footscray market food tours, led by local foodie Joyce Watts and Ping Pong Wow @ Artplay, an immersive activity for kids, families, adults that captivates with 2,000 ping pong balls.
Over 115 beloved and unique venues are part of the program such as Heavenly Queen Temple, Former Williamstown Morgue, CityLink Control Room, Trades Hall and many, many more.
For a full list and to book limited tours, events and experiences
Open House Melbourne is an independent, not-for-profit organisation with programs including the much-loved Open House Melbourne Weekend, Open House Bendigo, Modern Melbourne, This is Public, Open Nature (as part of Melbourne Design Week) and The Naked Architect series. The Open House Melbourne Weekend is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, Major Sponsors the City of Melbourne, Efront and Studio Payne, valued Precinct and Practice Partners, and a team of dedicated volunteers.
