The inaugural Open House Cork (OHC), which takes place from April 10^th-12^th and is set to showcase Cork’s architectural gems with a weekend of free design-based tours, workshops and talks, was officially launched today.

Open House Cork’s highly anticipated programme includes tours of Cork’s best loved buildings such as the Crawford Art Gallery, Lifetime Lab and UCC Glucksman Gallery, as well as a host of more unique undiscovered corners including the National Sculpture Factory and Tory Top Library. One of the highlights of the programme is the array of private houses: the aptly named Narrow House on Red Abbey Street, acclaimed Altus Housing in Sunday’s Well and the award winning Dundanion Court in Blackrock will all be opened to the public.

Speaking about the upcoming weekend, Clare Reidy, Media Coordinator for Open House Cork said:

“Cities around the world have hosted Open House events to huge success and acclaim, and it has been an honour to develop this idea in Cork, a city so rich in its diversity of buildings and with a positive and promising future. The theme for this year’s event is ‘Change’ and we hope through this to encourage discussion about the future of architecture in Cork. We see this as a great opportunity for the people of Cork to learn more about and experience the architectural diversity present throughout the city.”

A series of workshops will also feature as part of the Open House Cork programme. The first of these is the Fab Lab workshop being run by the Architecture Factory, which will introduce the intriguing concept of 3D printing to participants. Attendees will have the opportunity to construct a geodesic dome (or at least attempt it!) and see real people being scanned and printed in 3D.

A family friendly architecture themed art workshop led by practicing artists will take place in the Lewis Glucksman Gallery on Sunday, April 12^th. This unique event explores fun and interactive ways for kids and adults to learn about making art.

Two sketching tours, led by CCAE architecture lecturer Jim Harrison, will take place in the city centre, giving people the opportunity to extend their knowledge through drawing.

For more information on the many other events and buildings featured in Open House Cork, visit www.openhousecork.ie.

You can also keep up to date with news, events and competitions on the Open House Cork Twitter page @OpenHouseCork or on Facebook www.facebook.com/openhousecork.