C&G Get Curious at Open House Melbourne
Established in 2008, Open House Melbourne began with just eight unique buildings being made open to the public. Drawing 30,000 visitors that first year, OHM has gone on to become a landmark event in Melbourne’s cultural calendar; last year OHM uncovered over 100 of the city’s architectural, engineering and historic buildings to 125,000 visitors. From electricity substations to heritage buildings, medical institutions to cathedrals – OHM is a celebration of Melbourne’s incredible architectural depth and diversity.
Today, C&G looks at how to get involved this year.
For the first time, OHM will make a public launch of the 2014 program on 2nd July at the previously unseen CitiPower J Substation and Water Tank Way, opposite Southern Cross Station. The CitiPower J Substation still supplies power to much of the CBD, and the launch provides a rare opportunity to take a tour of the fascinating underground facility prior to the official OHM weekend. Tickets to the launch are available for purchase here.
The OHM weekend will go on to take place over 26th-27th July. This weekend is a completely free event, and the hugely anticipated full list of buildings will be revealed 16th June. Last year offered the chance to experience the inner sanctums of Federation Square, The Royal Melbourne Hospital Tunnels and Towers, Parliament House, Como House and Garden and NAB Headquarters – just to name a very few. OHM also gives a small number of lucky ballot winners the extraordinary chance to take a peek into some of Melbourne’s most unique and rare spaces, including Manchester Unity Building, the State Library Dome plus residential masterpieces like Little Black Number and Heller Street.
OHM 2014 will also present a number of walking tours of the city over the weekend – last year’s program included a Melbourne Bike Share Tour, Urban Laneway Tour and Designing Coffee Walking Tour. The annual Speaker Series throughout July will also see architects and designers discuss their contemporary projects as well as historical influences. All will be revealed come 16th of June – C&G recommends keeping a keen eye on OHM website, Facebook or Twitter to catch first glimpse of the 2014 program. And may the ballot odds be ever in your favour…