Open Christchurch 2026 sneak peek
Redcliffs Village Library by Young Architects, 2018.
Norris Strawbale House (Elizabeth Guthery, Design & Make Architects, 2026). This truly hand-crafted home celebrates a different approach to building — the resultant certified passive house and high-quality indoor environment was achieved on a shoe-string budget and celebrated the use of natural and second-hand materials.
Christchurch Fresh Distribution Centre by Jonathan Walker Architects.
Christchurch Fresh Distribution Centre (staff office), by Jonathan Walker Architects.
Cartwright Family Home by Bull O’Sullivan Architects, 2019.
Cartwright Family Home by Bull O’Sullivan Architects, 2019.
Mona Vale Bath House by unknown, c. 1905-1914; restoration by Team Architects, 2024.
Harewood Memorial Gardens Crematorium by Warren & Mahoney, 1963.
Harewood Memorial Gardens Crematorium by Warren & Mahoney, 1963.
076 - First Church of Christ Scientist by Warren & Mahoney, 1991.
Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre – Central Library by Collins & Harman, 1915.
Open Christchurch returns with its annual celebration of exceptional architecture and design on Friday 1 - Sunday 3 May. From a rare mid-century modern commercial building to the latest in innovative sustainable design, the programme is packed with 52 buildings of different ages, styles and uses.
The annual celebration of Ōtautahi and architectural excellence attracts thousands of attendees looking to experience great design first-hand and to connect to the special spaces, stories and people of the city.
Although the full programme is under wraps until 6pm Thursday 19 March, the team at Te Pūtahi, the organisation behind Open Christchurch, have pulled together some top sneak peeks for the design community.
See the sneak peeks:
This year’s festival has the largest residential programme to date, spanning some 165 years. From a prefabricated colonial cottage to a central city family penthouse, the programme invites attendees to explore the evolution of the home in Ōtatuahi. Many of the contemporary designs celebrate high-quality living within a small footprint and modest budget.
Open Christchurch shines the spotlight on the unusual gems of the city across the ages - from post-modern rarity First Church of Christ Scientist (Warren & Mahoney, 1991) and charming glass bijou Mona Vale Bathhouse (Unknown: c. 1905-1914; restoration: Team Architects, 2024) to the masterclass in balance and geometric form that is the Harewood Memorial Gardens Crematorium (Warren & Mahoney, 1963). Discover the unexpectedly delightful 200 High Street (AW Architects, 2025) — the nine-sided building is packed with playful office spaces and exceptional bathrooms.
For something different:
- For the family: take a student-led tour of Te Raekura Redcliffs School (Tennent Brown Architects, 2020) as they share the school’s cultural narrative and how the design reflects this.
- For a bit of architectural history: discover 100 years of design excellence in libraries by visiting those celebrated in the programme.
- For a different perspective: consider style and ornamentation at a special evening event where invited speakers from various walks of life offer their perspectives.
- For the design buffs: Book in for a tour of the Christchurch Fresh Distribution Centre (Jonathan Walker Architects, 2024) and enjoy behind-the-scenes access to one of the South Island’s largest distribution centres where complex logistical and temporal demands are responded to in a rigorous design solution.
Get the dates in your diary and sign up to their mailing list for updates.
