The Irish Architecture Foundation has released details on the fourth annual Open House Dublin event.

Over one weekend in October, buildings selected for their architectural quality and interest open their doors to the public.

This year's event will focus on innovative 'next generation' buildings.

This will include the small scale of the private house - such as an A3-Rated (BER) Family Home in Rathmines by FKLarchitects - to corporate headquarters including the landmark Eircom 1 Heuston South Quarter in Kilmainham, by Anthony Reddy Associates, designed to drastically reduce energy consumption.

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Pioneering new housing schemes such as O’Donnell & Tuomey’s Timberyard are featured alongside new community centres such as Ballyfermot Youth and Leisure Centre by McGarry Ni Eanaigh.

"Whether it is through designing the next generation of sustainable buildings or developing expert retrofit solutions – architects are constantly engaged in creative problem solving and Open House showcases their innovation," said Programme Curator Dr Sandra O’Connell.

Going nationwide for the first time this year, buildings of architectural quality and interest will open their doors to the public in Open House Galway from 16 to 18 October 2009.

"We are delighted to introduce Open House to Galway," said Lorna Maguire, Co- ordinator. "These include private residential and public buildings ranging from contemporary, energy-efficient homes to commercial, public and educational buildings, incorporating sustainable materials and quality design."

The Irish Architecture Foundation, who delivered its first Open House Dublin in 2006, has firmly established the project as Ireland’s largest architectural event with an estimated 15,000 people taking to the streets at almost 140 events.

(PR/BMcC)