Open House Melbourne 2023 to explore architecture in a time of housing uncertainty

Open House Melbourne 2023 has unveiled its program of more than 180 buildings, tours, events and design talks across the last weekend of July.

Themed "Collective City," the program explores architecture and design across Melbourne against the backdrop of climate, economic and housing uncertainty.

"As Melbourne expands to reach a projected population of 8 million by 2050, our theme for Open House Melbourne 2023, Collective City, seeks to explore how will we reinvent, re-purpose and adapt our city to live better together now, and into the future," said Open House Melbourne executive director Tania Davidge. "We want to inspire every Victorian through the Open House Melbourne Weekend to consider the principles of good design so together we can advocate for a more equitable and welcoming city that meets the needs of all Melburnians. Our program for 2023 reflects our desire for all to come to a shared understanding of the best way to shape the future of the city."

Highlights in the 2023 program include Making Home, a perennial series of talks and tours that explores social and affordable housing. It will include a panel discussion on the role of developers in the provision of social housing , as well as a tour of a Markham Avenue project designed by Architectus and delivered as part of the Homes Victoria Big Housing Build program.

Flat Life offers Open House Melbourne visitors a walking tour guided by architect David Brand through St Kilda and its apartment housing stock, including subdivided mansions, 1960s six-packs, and high-rise towers designed by European émigré architects.

Private home tours will also be returning after a pandemic-induced hiatus, with 16 contemporary and historic houses participating across Melbourne. The 2023 program newcomers include Lippincott House (co-designed by Walter Burley Griffin) and Gantry House by Oof Architecture.

The Victorian government's Future Homes design competition entries will also be a feature of Open House Melbourne. Audiences can experience full-size interactive walkthroughs of the designs, as well as a presentation.

The soon-to-be-opened Holocaust Museum by Kerstin Thompson Architects (KTA) will return in 2023 with tours guided by KTA associate principal Claire Humphreys. Open House Melbourne will also honour Kerstin Thompson, who was awarded the 2023 Gold Medal from the Australian Institute of Architects, with a film celebrating her career.

Comedian, author and historian Michael Veitch will be giving the 2023 Heritage Address, which will explore untold stories of Melbourne.

RMIT academics Christine Phillips, Beau de Belle and Jock Gilbert will discuss the role of Indigenous wisdom in contemporary architecture in Design with Country.

The 2023 Open House Melbourne will take place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 July. The program will be live on 28 June.