The one-weekend-only celebration of architectural excellence, organised by Te Pūtahi – Centre for Architecture and City Making, returns on 6 & 7 May 2023 to shine the light on Christchurch’s buildings of architectural, cultural and historical significance.

As seen through participation in the 2021 and 2022 festivals, and its range of talks, tours, exhibitions and activities, the festival caters to a widespread and genuine desire to discover and explore the city’s special spaces. Feedback for the free and accessible nature of the festival has been overwhelmingly positive, with many making a day of it on foot or by bike, exploring their city anew.

Te Pūtahi director, Jessica Halliday says, “We’d love to hear from architecture enthusiasts, curious neighbours, architects and designers, building owners and tenants — this is an open call to tell us what buildings or places you’d love to see included in Open Christchurch 2023.”

The nomination process is simple. It just requires permission from the building owner and occupier. Being nominated is not a commitment to participate.

The final selection of buildings and sites will be decided by Te Pūtahi’s Building Council. They’ll consider many ways in which buildings can be exceptional, including design excellence, rarity, contribution to the city’s history and sense of place, significance to Māori architecture and history, innovation, sustainability, and heritage significance.

Open Christchurch offers attendees the chance to experience great design first-hand and access buildings or parts of buildings that are normally off limits. Festival organisers see the public nominations process as means for more people to contribute to this endeavour.

The nomination form and the complete list of building criteria can be found on the Open Christchurch website. Nominations close on 30 September 2022.

Open Christchurch is made possible through the support of Christchurch City Council.