Openhousenewyork Opens the Doors to Architectural Gems

More than 75,000 visitors are expected to participate.

Meaghan O'Neill -- Interior Design, 9/14/2006

For those who have always wanted a behind-the-scenes tour of New York’s architectural gems, Openhousenewyork aims to please. The event (dubbed OHNY for short), which takes place October 7—8, provides the public with free access to more than 180 sites of architectural and design interest throughout all five boroughs, including many that are normally closed to the public. About 120 tours, talks, performances, family activities, and workshops also explore New York by foot, bus, bicycle, and even canoe.

The 4th Annual OHNY Weekend, sponsored by Target, is slated to be the biggest yet. Last year, more than 60,000 visitors from 40 states and 40 countries attended; in 2006, OHNY expects more than 75,000 attendees. Once again, OHNY will also sponsor “Focus on Architecture,” a photography competition for all ages in which participants can submit photos taken during the event.

Highlights this year include architectural tours of the United Nations and the Roof Gardens at Rockefeller Center, as well as a trip through the famous underground Murray’s Cheese Caves and a walk-through of UrbanGlass, the first and largest artist-access glass studio in the United States.

Nearly 30 events will focus on green design, including tours of City Bakery’s Build A Green Bakery, the Greening of Ground Zero; Battery Park City’s sustainable residences; and Solar One, the city's only stand-alone solar-powered building. Visitors can also check out Build it Green! NYC, a marketplace for reusable building materials, and Cook + Fox’s soon-to-be LEED-Platimunum-certified architectural studio.

A record number of architects will also provide tours of their studios and current projects. For example, Beyer Blinder Belle will lead tours through Ellis Island and Grand Central Terminal and Billie Tsien and Tod Williams will guide visitors through the American Folk Art Museum. Meanwhile, Rafael Vinoly Architects will show off the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Renzo Piano Building Workshop will tour the New York Times Building, and the Rockwell Group will offer insight on its studio and the Carlton Hotel.

Several transformative renewal projects will also be highlighted. These include the Diller Scofidio + Renfro—designed High Line park, many residential spaces, and historic sites and landmarks. More than 50 museums, galleries and artist studios will be included, as will several cemeteries and mausoleums.

Event and Kids Activity Guides for all OHNY Weekend events are available online. They can also be found in the September 29 City Edition of the New York Times and at all OHNY sites during the weekend, including the Times Square Information Center (7th Avenue, between 46th and 47th Streets) and the Center for Architecture (536 LaGuardia Place). Some events require advance reservations. OHNY is also looking for volunteers who can commit four hours of service to the event. All volunteers are allowed to skip the lines at all sites they wish to visit during the event.