Around 40 closed buildings in Riga to open to visitors for the first time — LSM English

On October 10 and 11, Latvia's capital, Riga, will host the Open House architecture festival for the first time. Around 40 buildings that are usually inaccessible to the public will open their doors to visitors. This was reported by LSM English.

A route through the city's architecture

Visitors will be invited to create their own route through the city and see Riga's architecture through spaces, impressions and stories that usually remain behind closed doors. The Open House festival format emerged in London in the 1990s.

Architect Kārlis Jaunromāns explained that the idea of the project is to engage directly with architecture. According to him, the best way to learn about it is to see buildings in person, rather than only attend lectures, watch films or take part in workshops.

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Which sites attracted the greatest interest

The organizers negotiated with building owners about participating in the festival and declined sites where significant obstacles or difficult conditions arose. Companies and owners of office buildings proved to be the most open to the initiative. At the same time, the participation of private houses depended on owners' willingness to allow visitors into their space.

The sites included in the program are a water tower in Čiekurkalns, a water tower on Matīsa Street that has been put up for auction, and a site at Elizabetes 2.

In the first three days after registration began, places for tours of the Riga Circus, Augustine Garden, the Roche building, the water towers on Matīsa Street, the Splendid Palace cinema, Wagner House, the Meat Market, the Čiekurkalns water tower, and the NRJA and OAD offices filled up fastest. The tours are free of charge.