MORE THAN 100 private and public buildings will be open to the public today and tomorrow as part of the third Open House weekend in Dublin.
The event, which is almost twice the scale of last year's Open House, will include buildings across a range of architectural styles and periods, with people on hand to explain the history and design.
The public will be able to visit a number of architect-designed private residences in the Dublin villages of Howth, Killester and Ballsbridge, as well as a number of city centre buildings including the Department of Finance, Leinster House, the Royal Irish Academy and Kings Inns.
New additions in this year's event include the Irish Timesbuilding on Tara Street, the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield, the circular glass offices of the Commissioners of Irish Lights in Dún Laoghaire, the Alto Vetro glass tower contemporary apartment building in the Dublin docklands and the recently renovated Provosts House Stables at Trinity College.
"This year's enlarged Open House Dublin features a substantial number of new buildings, many of which have been completed only this year," said programme curator Dr Sandra Andrea O'Connell.
"Our topical and diverse programme includes stunning private residences, landmark public buildings, eco-conscious apartments, award-winning civic offices, contemporary cinemas and art spaces, rounded-off by tours of Dublin airport and Dún Laoghaire's East Pier pottery," Dr O'Connell added.
All events and building tours are free of charge, with information on each of the buildings taking part at www.architecturefoundation.ie