Architecture Now / News / Open House DUBLIN 2010: big, small, global

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The Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF) has announced highlights of the fifth annual Open House Dublin, which takes place from 7 to 10 October 2010. Over one weekend, Dublin buildings of all types and periods will open up their doors to allow citizens explore the architecture of their city.

2010 is an exceptional year in Irish architecture and to mark the completion of new urban landmarks as well as the innovative work of Irish architects across all scales, the IAF has adopted the theme big, small, global. Curated by Dr Sandra O’Connell, this year’s programme juxtaposes tours of new city landmarks – such as the enigmatic Aviva Stadium (STW Architects and Populous) and the iconic Samuel Beckett Bridge (Santiago Calatrava) – with the residential scale, where design innovation is shown in exemplary extensions and one-off houses by A2 Architects, DTA Architects and Niall McLaughlin Architects.
Historic gems include architectural tours of Leinster House and the Casino in Marino, while an old merchant’s house on Bachelor’s Walk has been imaginatively adapted as the new CityArts Centre (McCulloughMulvin Architects).

The construction of city landmarks such as Liberty Hall, Busáras and The Abbey Theatre can be relived through specially compiled documentary films in the IFI’s new Cinema 3 (O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects). A spotlight on one Dublin’s most iconic and controversial architects, Sam Stephenson, features tours of the charismatic Central Bank of Ireland and his former mews home at No 31 Leeson Close.

As well as building tours, Open House Dublin 2010 includes Open House Junior, a series of creative and lively events to enable young participants to play architect for a day; Open Space (in association with Urban Agenda) walking, cycling and boat tours to explore the spaces between buildings; and Open Minds programme of talks, lectures and exhibitions, including the increasingly popular Open Debate.

Open Debate, chaired by John Bowman and in keeping with the 2010 Open House Dublin theme, will ask Does Size Matter? and takes place on October 7, 2010.

The IAF are confirming and adding event details to this year’s Open House Dublin all the time, so visit www.architecturefoundation.ie/openhouse for regular updates.

The final programme of events will also be available in print in early September 2010.

Posted: 29/06/2010 14:45:14

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