Sydney Open, a signature event that showcases the city’s architectural heritage to the world, will return next month with more than 50 treasured buildings opening their doors to the public.

To be held on Sunday 1 November 2015, this year will mark the 11th edition of the event, which opens the doors to some of the city's best architecture each year.

Presented by Sydney Living Museums, Sydney Open provides Sydneysiders and visitors alike, the opportunity to enjoy behind-the-scenes access to some of the city’s best loved or hidden architectural gems.

Mark Goggin, Executive Director of Sydney Living Museums describes Sydney Open as a celebration of the city’s architectural heritage, showcasing contemporary architecture and innovative urban design. This year’s program includes landmark towers and cultural places, underground tunnels and sacred spaces across the CBD as well as the thriving Ultimo and Chippendale precincts.

New buildings on the 2015 tour include University of Technology Sydney’s award-winning Science Faculty building designed by Durbach Block Jaggers in association with BVN Architecture, and the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, with the ABC Ultimo Centre, headquarters of the Australian national broadcaster also in the neighbourhood.

Walk down the newly opened The Goods Line and visit the Dr Chau Chak Wing building by Frank Gehry before moving on to the UTS Faculty of Engineering by Denton Corker Marshall, The Science & Graduate building by Durbach Block Jaggers in association with BVN Architecture and the ABC Ultimo Centre by Ken Woolley of Ancher Mortlock and Phillip Cox of Cox Architecture. Photography by McKenna Moroz.

The Chippendale segment will take visitors to the iconic Clare Hotel pub to discover its adaptive conversion as well as the former Carlton & United Breweries administration building, reimagined by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects into a brand new contemporary hotel. The Kensington Street precinct where a collaboration between architects and artists has transformed classic heritage architecture into a vibrant urban village, is also on the program.

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50 Martin Place was designed by HE Ross and H Ruskin Rowe, Ross & Rowe in 1925 as the head office for the Government Savings Bank of NSW. In 2012 Johnson Pilton Walker lead a team of architects (Tanner Kibble Denton Architects – heritage architect,Clive Wilkinson Architects and BVN – interiors) in restoring the building. Photography by Peter Bennetts.

CBD landmarks on the Sydney Open program include Australia Square, Deutsche Bank Place, AMP Building, 50 Martin Place (above) and Reserve Bank of Australia. The colonial architecture lining Macquarie Street including Hyde Park Barracks, St James’ Church, Sydney Hospital, Parliament House and State Library of NSW is also part of the tour.

Further south, there’s St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney Town Hall, Sydney Grammar School, City of Sydney Fire Station, The Great Synagogue, Sydney Masonic Centre and Mortuary Station.

The Sydney Open City Pass will provide access to more than 50 sites on the program. City Pass ticketholders will also go into the draw to win Golden Tickets to exclusive limited capacity sites including the Central Station Clock Tower and disused Platforms 26 & 27, St James Station Tunnels, St Mary’s Cathedral Belltower, Sydney Town Hall Clock Tower and behind-the-scenes tours of the Sydney Opera House.

Sydney Open visitors will learn more about the participating buildings from architects, building owners or one of the more than 350 Sydney Open volunteers on site.

The full Sydney Open 2015 program can be accessed online.

Architecture & Design Team

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