Festival of architectural excellence, Open Christchurch returns for a second time

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Lyttelton Studio Monastery (Bull O'Sullivan Architecture, 2015) being enjoyed at last year's festival. — Lyttelton Studio Monastery (Bull O’Sullivan Architecture, 2015) being enjoyed at last year’s festival. Image: Sarah Rowlands

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College House (Warren & Mahoney 1964-67), from Open Christchurch 2021. Image: Sarah Rowlands

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Lyttelton Studio Monastery (Bull O'Sullivan Architecture, 2015). — Lyttelton Studio Monastery (Bull O’Sullivan Architecture, 2015). Image: Sarah Rowlands

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Peterborough Housing Coop (Craig South, 2020) at the 2021 festival. Image: Sarah Rowlands

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Open Christchurch, the weekend-long annual festival of architectural excellence run by Te Pūtahi Centre for Architecture and City Making, is set to return on 30 April and 1 May. The festival celebrates buildings of architectural, cultural and historical significance, with an aim to tell the story of Ōtautahi through the lense of its architecture.

The event had a successful and popular first outing in 2021, with over 12,500 visits to the 46 open buildings on the programme. The 2022 programme will continue to offer first-hand encounters with over 40 buildings including several favourites from last year, including the library building, Tūranga; Te Hononga Civic Building; and the modernist gem, 65 Cambridge Terrace. All events are free to the public, barring a handful of bookings-only, limited-access private residences.

This year the programme focuses on hidden gems and features a greater number of buildings spread across the city. Of course, there is also the continually evolving COVID situation to reckon with, explains Te Pūtahi director, Jessica Halliday.

“We are still planning the festival and will be live on the weekend of 30 April & 1 May, as long as it is feasible and we can proceed safely. Given the circumstances, this year’s edition will be different, but experiencing great architecture will still be front and centre.”

“Christchurch is so familiar with being nimble and adaptive - we’re used to the process of responding to changing circumstances while looking after people. For Te Pūtahi, the health, safety and wellbeing of staff, volunteers, building partners and members of the public remain our priority.”

My Vaccine Pass will be required as proof of entry for all participants, aged 12 years and 3 months and over, at the event.

Circumstances allowing, a range of activities will be on offer to facilitate a deeper delve into the spaces and to cater to those keen to learn more. These include expert tours, exhibitions, audio tours and activities for children.

The festival is made possible by a significant amount of collaboration and participation from building partners, sponsors and funders and a host of volunteers.

The full programme will be launched in March. Entry to buildings is free, apart from limited-access residences, where a nominal $5 plus book fee is levied, in order to control privacy and numbers.