48h Open House Barcelona 2024

The 48h Open House Barcelona architecture festival is back for its 15th edition on October 26 and 27, 2024, prompting the public to reflect on the question, “How do you want to live?” This year, the festival explores seven essential architectural qualities—brightness, strength, location, orientation, functionality, beauty, and comfort—to uncover what is most valued by city dwellers in their living spaces.

According to Elisenda Bonet, festival director, the aim is to make architectural values accessible, prompting people to engage with what truly matters in designing spaces that serve all.

Programme Highlights and Activities

With 212 architectural activities, the festival opens access to 205 unique buildings and spaces across Barcelona and its surroundings, including 80 spaces open to the public for the first time. Highlights include:

• Ernest Lluch School, known for its use of sustainable and recycled materials.
• Botanical Garden Offices, featuring an innovative cylindrical layout.
• Social Housing on Lola Iturbe Street by Vicente Guallart and Daniel Ibáñez, exemplifying thoughtful urban design.

For young visitors, the Open Petits programme offers interactive tours and a game to discover hidden miniature houses in 10 different locations, making architecture fun and accessible for children.

Inclusive Experiences and Accessibility

In line with the Open House Europe 2024 programme, the festival promotes inclusivity and accessibility by offering guided tours in sign language, tactile experiences, and barrier-free spaces. An accessibility map provides details on support services for each activity. Throughout the year, discussions such as “Accessible architecture: inclusive city” have fostered dialogue on inclusive urban planning.

The festival is part of Open House Europe, a project funded by the European Union to advocate for inclusive architectural dialogue that addresses social and environmental challenges.

Finally, find out more on ArchUp: