A snapshot of the buildings (and gardens) on show
The last time we came to Open House Melbourne was two years ago, so it was good to use this year's event as an excuse to break out the winter coats and visit this great city.
L-R: Courtyard at RMIT Design Hub, Opening Night Drinks at Old Melbourne Gaol, Space & Co
Melbourne lived up to its 'four-seasons-in-one-day', or at least in one weekend: Saturday was a fairly gloomy affair, resulting in lots of moodily atmospheric photos, whilst Sunday dawned bright and blue-skied.
L-R: Space & Co, Hunter Street Apartments, Courtyard at RMIT Design Hub
Both days presented a feast of buildings to be discovered.
L-R: The Commons, view from 41X, Hunter Street Apartments
These photos give a little taste of the places we visited, many of which had fabulous roof gardens. This is what we saw:
Hunter Street Apartments: a neat development that carved out three light filled apartments, including roof terraces, on a tight corner site.
NH Architects Office: beautiful inner-city office fitout that added a high roof to bring light right through the depth of the space.
41X: on a 12.5 metre wide site, the Australian Institute of Architects developed its new headquarters, and achieved a low carbon building that also acts as a corner landmark.
L-R: recycled bricks, community notice board, and rooftop garden at The Commons
RMIT Design Hub: roof terrace, huge internal stairwell and detailed operable facade star at this new university building, home to the schools of architecture and landscape architecture.
Space & Co: a flexible workspace-for-hire with a great fitout, and communal cafe.
The Commons: brilliant apartment development that raised the bar for 'sustainable' living and had queues down the street to see the apartments, street art, shared laundry and fabulous rooftop garden.
L-R: Space & Co, The Commons, Blackwood Street Bunker
Caretaker's House: the former residence and family home for the onsite caretaker at Melbourne Cemetery.
Percy Grainger Museum: tiny, purpose-built museum at the University of Melbourne, housing a collection dedicated to the renowned pianist.
Blackwood Street Bunker: a smart refurb of a spectacularly brutalist concrete building is new home to an architectural practice and a building company, who share a kitchen and terrace.
There will be more detailed stories on some of these in the weeks ahead.
L-R: Melbourne Cemetery, Percy Grainger Museum, Blackwood Street Bunker
Congratulations to all the Open House Melbourne team for organising such a great event.
And a huge huge thanks to all the owners, architects and volunteers who so generously give up their time to welcome us in to their homes and buildings.
The next Open House off the ranks will be Brisbane, which is on again this October - pencil in the 11th and 12th, and start planning!