Open House Melbourne is happening this weekend (27-28 July) and you’re in for a treat. The program will open doors for the city’s residents to visit iconic venues showcasing awe-inspiring architecture and design. The idea: to stimulate dialogue about architecture and learning and help people experience the impact of good design in their lives. With over 200 venues including civic buildings, private homes, infrastructure and landscape projects across the city, Open House Melbourne promises to be a weekend to remember.

Here’s our pick of some of the best venues to see this weekend.

Arup Melbourne. Photography by Earl Carter

Arup’s Melbourne Workplace

Designed by HASSELL, Arup’s contemporary workspace design supports the company’s agile and innovative work methodologies through the creation of multiple zones. The workspace, which sprawls over three floors mesmerises with its expansive voids and mezzanines that create a cascading terraced environment. Visitors will also be privy to dedicated client collaboration spaces and social enterprise run café, STREAT.

Hop in for a guided tour led by Arup staff as well as Lab demonstrations.

More info here.

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The Capitol. Photography by: Tatjana Plitt

The Capitol

Australian architect Robin Boyd once remarked that The Capitol “is the best cinema that was ever built or is ever likely to be built.” With its spectacular lighting design and intricate crystalline ceiling designed by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahoney Griffin in 1924, the building is truly one of Australia’s most revered architectural icons. RMIT and Six Degrees Architects recently refurbished the theatre, not only restoring the interiors to its former glory but also adding on with a few significant upgrades. There will be guided tours led by Six Degrees Architects on Saturday through the hour.  You could also choose the self-guided tour through the elaborate foyer, salon, lounge and the iconic theatre. Don’t miss this one.

More info here.

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FAB9 Makerspace

FAB9 Makerspace

FAB9 is located in a heritage-listed former mill and is part of co-working hub, The Dream Factory. A space to experiment and explore through making, FAB9 is made up of five distinct labs under one roof, including a Timber shop, a Digital Fabrication Lab, a CNC Lab, an Electronics Lab and an Assembly area. The makerspace is one of the latest ventures to occupy this impressive late-nineteenth-century multi-storey building embracing industrial architecture. You will be taken on a tour of FAB9, the makerspace on the ground floor, the co-working space on the second level as well as the rooftop terrace.

More info here.

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Cox Architecture Studio. Photography by Tommy Miller

Cox Architecture Studio

Take a tour of the Cox Architecture Studio to experience how design can be reimagined to help people work, think, collaborate and socialise. The studio’s design strikes a balance between dedicated, specialist functional areas as well as spaces for casual interaction. A central ‘events space’ creates connection between floors, increasing opportunity for staff to come together. Adjacent to this events space is a Michelin-class commercial kitchen living with a long, communal bench. 

More info here.

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Buxton Contemporary. Photography by John Gollings

Buxton Contemporary

Located in the heart of Melbourne’s art precinct, Buxton Contemporary has been shortlisted for a Victoria Architecture Award in the Public Architecture category. Designed by Fender Katsalidis, Buxton Contemporary is a space for diverse educational programming while also fostering contemporary art practice in our region. Your opportunity to not only marvel at the venue’s architecture, but also view the Michael Buxton collection that comprises over 350 works by 59 artists spanning three generations.

More info here.

Think you can fit in a few more venues into your packed weekend schedule, head to the Open House Melbourne website and take your pick now.