Anna Polyviou
A major international architecture initiative is making its debut in Cyprus, with Open House Nicosia set to take place for the first time in 2026. The event will invite the public to explore the capital through free guided tours of selected buildings, offering a rare opportunity to step inside spaces that are not usually accessible.
The concept is simple but powerful: for one weekend, architecture becomes the main attraction. Public and private buildings of architectural interest will open their doors, allowing visitors to learn more about their design, function, and history through tours that cover both exterior features and chosen interior areas.
A global institution that began in London
Open House is not a new idea internationally. It started in London in 1992 and has since developed into one of the most recognized global platforms for promoting architecture and the built environment. Today, it operates in more than 60 cities worldwide, connecting communities through events that encourage residents and visitors to discover the identity of a city through its buildings.
Alongside the building tours, Open House programs in different cities often include additional activities such as Open Walks, Open School, Open Office, and Open Photo, expanding the experience beyond traditional guided visits.
According to the data shared, the initiative has grown significantly over the years, involving more than 6,250 buildings, supported by 13,500 volunteers, and attracting over 610,000 participants, with approximately 1.8 million visits and activity participations recorded.
In 2025, four new locations joined the international network: Murcia, Istanbul, Pristina, and Ticino. Nicosia is now joining this expanding list for the first time.
Open House Nicosia 2026: Dates and activities
The Nicosia edition is scheduled for the weekend of 18 and 19 April 2026. Beyond the guided building tours, organizers also plan parallel events such as themed architectural walks and visits to workshops, aiming to create a city-wide experience.
The organizers describe the goal as transforming Nicosia, both symbolically and practically, into a kind of “open museum” of architecture for the weekend.
Open House Nicosia was founded by:
Angelos Siamaris (Architect)
Christiana Kyperounta (Project Manager)
Stelios Theodorou (Real Estate Advisor)
Their aim is to establish the festival as a recurring cultural institution built on principles of inclusion, equality, and accessibility, offering opportunities for participation to both residents and visitors.
The event is being organized by the NGO “Voices of the City – Open House Nicosia”, under the auspices of the Municipality of Nicosia, and has received support from both the Cyprus Architects Association and ETEK.
Open calls for buildings and volunteers
To prepare for the 2026 launch, the organization has announced two public calls.
The first, Open Call Buildings, invites architects to submit completed projects located in Nicosia that could be opened to the public during the event. The deadline for submissions is 12 February 2026.
The second, Open Call Volunteers, invites members of the public to take part as volunteers, assisting with tours, guidance, and visitor support throughout the weekend. Volunteer applications close on 28 February 2026.
Organizers say interest is already strong
The founding team says they were inspired to bring Open House to Cyprus after previously experiencing similar events abroad, particularly in Greece, either as visitors or volunteers. Their intention is to help people connect more directly with architecture and to encourage broader public discussion about the city’s built environment.
While the list of participating buildings has not yet been announced due to the ongoing submission process, the organizers confirm that the program is expected to include a wide range of buildings, spanning different uses, sizes, and styles, ensuring variety from the very first year.
Read the original Greek article from Weekend By Must here.
