British council announces city's biggest architectural showcase

Following the success of the debut of Lagos biggest architectural weekend, British Council and Open House Lagos Board is proud to announce the second edition of Open House Lagos this year, April 29th - May 1st.

Open House Lagos, a highly anticipated event in the city’s architectural calendar, is a unique celebration of the buildings, places and spaces where we live, work and play. It provides an opportunity to see, explore and learn about Lagos’ amazing architecture and design over one weekend.

The first edition which took place in 2016 was the first of its kind in Africa. It recorded an outstanding success which was reflected by the extensive press coverage, over 1500 volunteer applications, positive feedback from the visitors and building owners as well as the number of buildings that signed on.

This year, with 30 buildings and 12 tours spread across two days, Open House Lagos presents an opportunity to see, explore and learn about Lagos’ architecture all for free. Hence, presenting a platform for Lagos citizens and tourists to find out more about issues that are relevant to their local area - from the design of homes to the impact of climate change, and the role of architects and contemporary design in revitalising a city.

“The maiden edition of this festival was well received across demographics, by the media and people who are less knowledgeable about architectural designs and the built environment in general. For us, this was an indication of a growing interest in this field and an inspiration to ensure a repeat of this festival and ultimately, its sustainability.

The continuation of this festival has been fueled by the passion and drive of the Open House Advisory Board, the Open House team, our generous partners and collaborators and the willingness of the building owners to grant access to their buildings. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the weekend’s festivities for Open House Lagos 2017.”- Ojoma Ochai, Director Arts, British Council Nigeria

Open House Lagos tells the story of the progressive growth of architecture in Lagos, exploring the diverse historical buildings protected for years while unravelling contemporary designs.

Open House Lagos is part of the Open House Worldwide family brand which was created in 2010, connecting a community of over 30 cities who organise annual events with the same model, and an audience of over 1 million people who participate in Open House events across the globe. The concept’s success is due to its acting as an exemplary model of engagement with a city’s citizen, and a step towards bridging the gap between experts and users.