Google headquarters to open to the public

Google will be throwing open its European headquarters in Dublin’s Docklands for this year’s Open House weekend, and it’s expected to be one of the highlights of 100 buildings on show from October 4th to 6th.

Nathalie Weadick, director of the Irish Architecture Foundation - which organises Open House Dublin - said there were “more buildings than ever from old to new and plenty of revelations in between: it’s a programme made to engage and inspire us all.

“Over one weekend, 100 great buildings, from the obvious to the overlooked, will open up their doors to allow citizens and visitors explore the architecture of their city, with special tours by hundreds of professionals and enthusiasts, completely for free.”

Launching the programme at Google Docks  - as the company calls its headquarters -  Minister for Arts and Heritage Jimmy Deenihan said: “The idea of Open House Dublin is so simple but so powerful: to visit great buildings, in the company of an expert guide, for free.”

Not all of the 100 buildings chosen to “surprise and delight the public” are great. They include, for example, the derelict Royal Victoria Baths in Dun Laoghaire, which has been closed since the 1980s and the subject of numerous renovation plans — all abortive, so far.

The list also includes the RTÉ radio and television buildings in Donnybrook, designed by Scott Tallon Walker, the Etihad Slyline at Croke Park with its panoramic views of the city and Dublin Bay, and Box Architecture’s recently award-winning Ballyroan Library.

There are also, once again, many great private houses to visit, from renovated southside homes at Harty Place, Dublin 8 by Culligan Architects, and a house on Eaton Square by Lucy Jones to the most famous home on the northside: Áras an Uachtaráin.

The programme includes Open House Junior, a series of events to enable young people to “play architect for the weekend”, with hands-on architecture workshops and a special “Architrek” event in Dun Laoghaire. There will also be mystery tours, available by lottery.

The full programme of events is available from today in Totally Dublin magazine and online at architecturefoundation.ie/openhouse. A limited number of Open House Dublin maps will be available at City Hall and the GPO from September 12th.