Open House Tallinn Free Tour Programme is Now Public

On 11–12 October, the architecture festival Open House Tallinn will once again open around 40 buildings and sites to residents and visitors – places that are normally inaccessible to the public. This year’s festival focuses on the architectural heritage of the future – the question of how today’s buildings and urban environment will shape tomorrow’s Tallinn.

According to Open House Tallinn producer Aleksander Tali, architecture is more than form or aesthetics: “When we think about the architectural heritage of the future, we are really talking about the kind of city we are creating today. Open House Tallinn offers a rare opportunity to step into places that are usually closed to the public and to experience space from an entirely new perspective. These encounters reveal that the city is made up of both historical landmarks and entirely new buildings and ideas – and both will shape the Tallinn of tomorrow.”

This year’s programme again includes buildings and sites across different districts of the city. Among them are seven educational institutions (for example, the Estonian Academy of Arts, Tõnismäe and Pelgulinna State Gymnasiums, St John’s School), seven public state institutions (including Toompea Castle and the Parliament of Estonia, Bank of Estonia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chancellor of Justice’s Office, and the Government Office Building), as well as iconic industrial heritage sites such as Nõmme Elevator, Manufaktuur Quarter, and BLRT. Visitors will also get to explore cultural and theatre venues, sacred buildings, emerging neighbourhoods, and even harbour and city-building areas. This diverse selection shows how rich and multifaceted Tallinn’s urban space is – with plenty to discover even for those who think they already know the city inside out.

Newly added to the programme:
Estonian History Museum and Maarjamäe Palace, Estonian Drama Theatre, Estonian Academy of Arts, National Library of Estonia Repository, ERR Broadcasting House, Estonian Film Museum, Kopli Community Centre, Linnahall, Manufaktuur Quarter, Noblessner Quarter, Nõmme Elevator, Palace Hotel, Pelgulinna State Gymnasium, House of Architects and Engineers, St John’s School, Südalinna Theatre, Swedbank Headquarters, Toompea Castle and the Parliament of Estonia, Ülemiste City.

Previously announced:
BLRT, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, Estonian Academy of Music, Drama School, Bank of Estonia, Hundipea District and Paljassaare Harbour, Kadriorg Park Orangery, Kalev Yacht Club Harbour Building, Kopli Kindergarten, Government Office Building, Mustamäe State Gymnasium, Pirita Convent, Pirita TOP, Põhjala Factory, Roosikrantsi Residence, Tallinn Old Harbour D-terminal, Tõnismäe State Gymnasium, Hungarian Cultural Centre, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chancellor of Justice’s Office, Ülemiste Water Treatment Plant.

In addition to building tours, the programme will include lightning talks and special guided tours, with detailed information announced in September. The festival is free of charge, but some tours require pre-registration. Registration opens on 11 September at 18:00 via Fienta.

The festival is organised by the Estonian Centre for Architecture in cooperation with partners and supporters: Estonian Cultural Endowment, City of Tallinn, European Heritage Days, Hepsor, Laufen, Rockwool, Ruukki, Kingivabrik, Selver, Raba and Punch Club.
Open House Tallinn is part of the international Open House Europe network, supported by the European Union. The festival is co-funded by a joint project of the European Union and the Council of Europe.

Check out the programme: Programme – Open House Tallinn