Start | Flohmarkt Kunterbunt

WE ARE
BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2026

Discover the diversity of the city – buildings, stories, community.

That was Open House 2025

WHAT IS OPEN HOUSE ESSEN?

Learn how the festival came to be, who’s behind it, and why we open doors every year that are usually closed.

Learn more

ALL BUILDINGS IN VIEW

From iconic landmarks to hidden architectural treasures, discover them and be inspired.

Discover all buildings

PAST FESTIVALS

Take a look back at all past festivals in Essen and discover the buildings, stories, and highlights of the last few years.

To the festival overview

JOIN THE TEAM
AND BECOME
VOLUNTEER!

Whether you're studying architecture, a festival enthusiast, or just want to be part of a unique event – we look forward to welcoming you! Experience the festival up close, get a glimpse behind the scenes, and create unforgettable moments together with a dedicated team. Register now as a volunteer and become part of our festival community!

Join now

NEWS

The latest from the Open House network

That was Open House Essen 2024

The fourth edition of the Open House Essen Architecture Festival was themed "Transformation in the Ruhr Area: Buildings. People. Dialogue." In our video, we look back on the festival and show how architecture, culture, and dialogue have moved the city and the region.

Open House Europe Annual Summit 2025 is coming to Dublin

We are thrilled to invite you, together with the Irish Architecture Foundation and Open House Brno, to the second Annual Summit of Open House Europe . On January 30th and 31st, 2025, architects, experts and urban enthusiasts will meet in Dublin to discuss the future of our cities. Under the title "The City Invites", everything revolves around the question of how accessibility and inclusion can transform our cities into open and welcoming places. Over 70 delegates from

Open Call: Forum for Young International Architects 2025: Apply now!

We invite young architects with international backgrounds to exchange ideas, network, and learn from each other. Are you interested in talking about your architecture studies and the building culture of your home country – and at the same time getting to know the city where you currently work or would like to work better? Then the Forum for Young International Architects 2025 is exactly the right place for you. What is it about? The focus is on similarities and difference

Support us with your donation or by opening your building for the festival!

HIER ENTLANG

TEAM

The heart of Open House Essen beats thanks to a fantastic team of dedicated people who work behind the scenes, on tours, and in the day-to-day running of the festival, ensuring the event is a success year after year. Here we introduce you to a few of them—the faces you might encounter.

OPEN HOUSE 2025

Discover the city like never before! Immerse yourself in the Open House Festival 2025 and experience extraordinary architecture, exciting spaces, and unique encounters – all the highlights can be found in the video.