Part of a global design movement that began in 1992, buildings that are rarely, if ever, open to the public now will be, including some private homes. This long-awaited inaugural Cork event will enable people to visit many public buildings. Organised by a group of young architects, the inaugural Open House Cork (OHC) is on the weekend of April 10-12, and includes building visits, talks, design tours and workshops, including sketching and 3-D printing.

Private residential schemes, such as Altus, on Wyse’s Hill, above the North Mall, and the 1960s Dundanion Court, in Blackrock, will feature, but the biggest crush will most likely be at the Narrow House, in the South Parish, a refurb of a 8’ wide sliver of a 450 sq ft build by its architect owner, along with a mews by Wellington Road, and a high-end mews/townhouse nearby, as well as a period home on Grosvenor Place.

Other buildings include galleries (the Glucksman and Crawford), churches (Christ the King, Turner’s Cross), pavilions at the Mardyke, libraries, including Tory Top Road, civic, scientific and educational buildings, and the old Ford factory. Open House Cork kicks off Friday night in the Vision Centre, when Victoria Thornton, who founded the movement, in London,will talk. There will also be a discussion with architects, Louise Cotter, of Carr Cotter Naessens Architects who recently did the Dun Laoghaire library; Valerie Mulvin, of McCullough Mulvin Architects; and Neil Hegarty, former Cork City Architect. Visits will be to buildings that have history and that have a future. and the theme of the event is ‘Change.’

“We see this as a great opportunity for the people of Cork to learn more about, and experience, the architectural diversity present throughout the city,” said a spokesperson.

Details: www.openhousecork.ie