Open House Melbourne is an organization that fosters a public appreciation for architecture and encourages conversations about the futures of our cities. Open House is a registered charity and part of a network founded in London 25 years ago and now operating in 40 different cities around the world, and a portion of it is coming right here to Docklands this weekend!

Open House facilitates opportunities for city residents to engage and experience how a well-designed city environment can improve all our lives. They aim to do so by opening examples of architectural excellence to the public. There are an infinite number of walking tours and buildings both public and private being opened across all of Melbourne. Here are a select few featured in our own backyard in Docklands:

AROUND THE BLOCK IN DOCKLANDS – LAYERS AND LEVELS

This is a walking tour conducted by historian Janet Bolitho exploring the layers, both physical and historic, of Docklands. The tour incorporates the re-purposed No. 2 Goods Shed and will ascend the new Wurundjeri stairs between Flinders and Collins Streets. You will examine the green wall at the Medibank building and terminate at the public artwork “Civil Twilight End”.

(Please note that this walk includes many stairs, which are fundamental to the nature and development of this particular area of Melbourne).

https://openhousemelbourne.org/event/around-the-block-in-docklands-layers-and-levels/

COLLINS ARCH PUBLIC REALM AND MARKET STREET PARK

Collins Arch is a landmark twin tower of mixed-use development by Woods Bagot and SHoP Architects that occupies an entire city block. At ground level OCULUS has created a lush landscape for residents and workers in the city to enjoy, as well as contributing to the overall green health of the city. The ground-level public arena blurs the inside and outside experience as one arrives at the building entrances. A large amphitheatre draws people up through its significant change of grade.

https://openhousemelbourne.org/event/collins-arch-public-realm-and-market-street-park/

MISSION TO SEAFARERS HERITAGE TOURS

The Mission to Seafarers building is listed on the Victorian Heritage Registry for its outstanding architectural, aesthetic, social and historical significance to the State of Victoria. Iconically situated on the banks of the Yarra River it is considered an incredible urban example of Spanish Mission Revival and Arts and Crafts styles of architecture. At Mission to Seafarers, you will join a tour that takes you inside to hear remarkable stories of Melbourne’s maritime history.

https://openhousemelbourne.org/event/mission-to-seafarers-heritage-tours/

ESCALA

Our very own newly completed Escala building on Docklands Drive in Newquay also features on the list. Developed by MAB and designed by Six Degrees Architects, Escala draws on the character and energy of large metropolises like New York and Barcelona. The word “Escala” is Spanish for scale with the detailed architecture of this building creating a journey of varying scale through grand spaces and light-filled corridors. Some of the standout features are the library with spiral staircase and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and the commercial frontage on Docklands Drive, reminiscent of Melbourne’s historic and grand old warehouses with brick façades and soaring arched windows. Attention to detail is everywhere, with 27 different façade types featuring fluted glass, coloured glass and old-school lead-lighting in a modern and contemporary fashion.

https://openhousemelbourne.org/event/escala-newquay/

LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY HUB AT THE DOCK

Anchoring Victoria Harbour is the Dock community precinct comprising the Library at the Dock, Community Hub and Buluk Park. The Library building takes its inspiration and shape from the historic wharf and maritime setting. It was the first 6-star Green Star-rated public building in Australia. Modest in scale, the simple timber frame construction is predominantly built using Cross Laminated Timber. This reduces the overall weight of the building by 30 percent benefiting its location on a 75 year old wharf.

https://openhousemelbourne.org/event/library-and-community-hub-at-the-dock/

You will find a more extensive list of public spaces, buildings, talks and tours that are open to the public and being conducted this weekend on both Saturday and Sunday at:

https://openhousemelbourne.org/weekend-2022/