Open House Essen returns on the weekend of September 7 and 8, inviting architecture enthusiasts to explore the hidden gems of Essen's northern districts. The fourth edition of the festival, themed "Transformation in the Ruhr Area: Buildings. People. Dialogue," offers a unique opportunity to discover remarkable buildings and the stories behind them, many of which are typically off-limits to the public.
Ahead of the main weekend, a special discussion on September 3 will delve into the legacy of the International Building Exhibition (IBA) Emscherpark. This event, moderated by Marius Hanke, will feature prominent figures such as architect Peter Brdenk, Dr. Christina Anna Kloke from TU Dortmund, architect Christian Kohl, and Dr. Irene Wiese-von Ofen, the former city planning director of Essen. The panel will explore the lasting impact of the IBA on the Ruhr area and consider whether the region might benefit from a new IBA initiative.
