Open House Belfast Architecture Festival (17-19 July 2015)

Ever wanted to see inside Belfast Central Fire Station? Or to be one of the first inside the new Ulster University building? Or to don a hard hat and walk around the new Exhibition and Conference extension on the side of the Waterfront Hall?

Open House Belfast Architecture Festival is offering guided tours of these facilities and fifty more across the city between 17 and 19 July.

listen to ‘Open House Belfast Architecture Festival launch (17-19 Jul 2015) @PLACENI #OHBelfast’ on audioBoom

You should find the full list of buildings and sites on the PLACENI website. Booking is required for a few of the free tours. Printed programmes will also be available in arts venues, libraries and tourist sites.




Some highlights from the programme:

• The MAC: 45 minute tours led by architect Mark Hackett at 2pm on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July.
• Belfast Waterfront Exhibition and Conference Centre Tour: 45 minute tours led by project team representatives from Todd Architects, McAdam Design and McLaughlin & Harvey 15 10am, 11am and noon on Saturday 18 July.
• Belfast Central Fire Station: 45 minute tours led by Station Commander Al Cunningham at 10.30am, 11:45am and 2.15pm on Sunday 19 July.
• Jump on board the Wee Tram for a 90 minute guided tour around Titanic Quarter by self-confessed Titanorak Chris Bennett at 10am and 2pm on Saturday 18 July.
• Ulster University, Belfast Campus Development Phase 1: hour-long tour with architect Cormac Maguire of Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios at 11.30am on Saturday 18 July.
• The Soloist in Lanyon Place - 40 minute tours at 10am, 11am and noon on Saturday 18 July.
• Divis Tower: visit the only remaining structure from the Divis Flats complex, tour the top floors and hear from residents - 40 minute tours at 11am, noon and 1pm on Sunday 19 July.
• Architectural practice Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios: a lunchtime talk to look at some of their projects and learn how an initial scribble becomes reality - 1pm-3pm on Saturday 18 July.
• South Belfast Methodist Church opened in 2012 and provides community facilities (like  gym, conference hall and classrooms) along with a space for worshup. Open 10am-6pm on Saturday 18 and 2-6pm on Sunday 19 July.
• The Tropical Ravine in Botanic Gardens has been undergoing restoration. Ahead of its reopening in late 2016, you will have a chance to see the ravine in an uncharacteristically empty state and hear about the delicate operation that will be required to repopulate it with its greenery. Check on placeni.org closer to the festival for date and time. 
• And don't forget to check out HOUSE, a tiny two storey structure inside PLACE on Lower Garfield Street during the Open House Festival: a library, a cinema, a space to reflect ... and the festival hub and information point.

Click on the programme summary below for a legible version!