Photo essay: Open Christchurch sees over 12,000 visits

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Green Family Home (Michael O’Sullivan / Bull O’Sullivan Architecture, 2017-2020), Open Christchurch 2021.

Green Family Home (Michael O’Sullivan / Bull O’Sullivan Architecture, 2017-2020), Open Christchurch 2021. Image: Sarah Rowlands

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Green Family Home (Michael O’Sullivan / Bull O’Sullivan Architecture, 2017-2020), Open Christchurch 2021.

Green Family Home (Michael O’Sullivan / Bull O’Sullivan Architecture, 2017-2020), Open Christchurch 2021. Image: Sarah Rowlands

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College House (Warren and Mahoney, 1964-67), University of Canterbury Hall of Residence, Open Christchurch 2021.

College House (Warren and Mahoney, 1964-67), University of Canterbury Hall of Residence, Open Christchurch 2021. Image: Sarah Rowlands

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College House (Warren and Mahoney, 1964-67), University of Canterbury Hall of Residence, Open Christchurch 2021.

College House (Warren and Mahoney, 1964-67), University of Canterbury Hall of Residence, Open Christchurch 2021. Image: Sarah Rowlands

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Members of the public enjoyed access to College House through hourly tours.

Members of the public enjoyed access to College House through hourly tours. Image: Sarah Rowlands

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The library at College House – Open Christchurch organisers note that Sir Miles Warren designed a community, not just a halls of residence.

The library at College House – Open Christchurch organisers note that Sir Miles Warren designed a community, not just a halls of residence. Image: Sarah Rowlands

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First Church of Christ Scientist (Warren and Mahoney, 1991), Open Christchurch 2021.

First Church of Christ Scientist (Warren and Mahoney, 1991), Open Christchurch 2021. Image: Sarah Rowlands

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Lyttelton Studio Monastery (Bull O’Sullivan Architecture, 2015), Open Christchurch 2021.

Lyttelton Studio Monastery (Bull O’Sullivan Architecture, 2015), Open Christchurch 2021. Image: Sarah Rowlands

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Lyttelton Studio Monastery (Bull O’Sullivan Architecture, 2015), Open Christchurch 2021.

Lyttelton Studio Monastery (Bull O’Sullivan Architecture, 2015), Open Christchurch 2021. Image: Sarah Rowlands

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Lyttelton Studio Monastery (Bull O’Sullivan Architecture, 2015), Open Christchurch 2021.

Lyttelton Studio Monastery (Bull O’Sullivan Architecture, 2015), Open Christchurch 2021. Image: Sarah Rowlands

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Close to 1000 members of the public, young and old, visited the Christchurch Town Hall (Warren and Mahoney, 1972 & 2019) as part of the Open Christchurch 2021 weekend.

Close to 1000 members of the public, young and old, visited the Christchurch Town Hall (Warren and Mahoney, 1972 & 2019) as part of the Open Christchurch 2021 weekend. Image: Peanut Productions

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Big School at Christ's College was one of the 46 buildings opened up to the public during Open Christchurch 2021.

Big School at Christ’s College was one of the 46 buildings opened up to the public during Open Christchurch 2021. Image: Peanut Productions

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Giuseppe Lopocaro (Civil Engineering) from the University of Canterbury takes a group through buildings on campus that demonstrate innovation in post-quake engineering on Sunday at Open Christchurch 2021.

Giuseppe Lopocaro (Civil Engineering) from the University of Canterbury takes a group through buildings on campus that demonstrate innovation in post-quake engineering on Sunday at Open Christchurch 2021. Image: Peanut Productions

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The Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple (Warren and Mahoney, 2005-2006) in Riccarton was one of the sacred spaces included in the Open Christchurch 2021 programme.

The Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple (Warren and Mahoney, 2005-2006) in Riccarton was one of the sacred spaces included in the Open Christchurch 2021 programme. Image: Peanut Productions

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Natural and raw materials abound – wood, stone, water – at the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist temple, reflecting the Buddhist practice of cherishing resources.

Natural and raw materials abound – wood, stone, water – at the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist temple, reflecting the Buddhist practice of cherishing resources. Image: Peanut Productions

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Bastions of modernist architecture and newly-built residences with grand designs alike were opened to the Cantabrian public last weekend as part of the inaugural Open Christchurch programme. Event organisers note that over 12,000 visits to buildings like the Town Hall, Christ’s College, the Grand-Designs-featured Bull O’Sullivan home at Cass Bay and more took place over the two days.

Te Pūtahi – Centre for Architecture & City-Making created the festival to connect the public with the architecture of Christchurch, at a time in the rebuild of the city when that is perhaps more important than ever. One participant noted that the events of the weekend allowed her to re-engage with her city, called it “a special privilege”.

Christchurch resident Judy Hutchinson said, “It makes me feel more positive about and more in touch with my city.” This was a theme echoed by quite a few attendees. Barbara Forbes noted, “You don’t know what things are around you – it really opens your eyes.”

Te Pūtahi says it already plans to run Open Christchurch annually, with dates for next year set for 30 April-1 May.


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