Things to do  |  3 May 2021

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The doors to some of Christchurch’s most captivating buildings will be thrown open to the public in a new celebration of the city’s architecture.

Organised by Te Pūtahi - Centre for Architecture & City-Making, Open Christchurch will give people an opportunity to see inside some of Christchurch’s unique homes and buildings of cultural, historic or architectural significance.

Guided tours, children’s workshops, expert tours, guided walks, and exhibitions will also be held as part of the two-day festival on 15 and 16 May.

"We simply want people to enjoy exploring the city's architecture and landscapes,’’ says festival director Dr Jessica Halliday.

“Te Pūtahi wants to make it easy, desirable and fun for more people to get involved in the enjoyment and shaping of Ōtautahi.  Open Christchurch is a great way to do this as everybody likes to have a good nosy in buildings.

“Architecture is a complex, rich art form and cultural product - it connects us with different histories, design, big and small ideas, materials and technologies, politics, art, identity, social and cultural values. There's a lot to engage with and learn about when you focus on a building's architecture.

“Longer term we want Open Christchurch to be a gateway for more people to get involved in city making - in the processes and cultures that shape where we all live."

“Open Christchurch is a celebration of the city’s architecture. We’ve packed the programme with access to a diverse range of buildings in the hope that’s there something for everyone,’’ Dr Halliday says.

Among the 46 buildings that will be open are: the Old Government building, Muse Art Hotel, Lane Neave, Christ’s College, St Andrew’s College, Rāpaki Church, Fo Guang Shan Buddhist temple, Te Hononga Civic Offices, Millstream apartment and the Lyttelton studio monastery.

See the full list of buildings and find out more about Open Christchurch events.

“Eighty-five per cent of the buildings are free to access and any building or walk that requires a ticket is under $5. So come out and enjoy exploring these special places with your friends and family – the city will be open for all on 15 and 16 May,’’ Dr Halliday says.

* Pictured above, the Lyttelton Studio Monastery, which is one of the buildings that the public can visit during Open Christchurch. Photo courtesy of Bull O'Sullivan Architecture.