Open doors

For the 10th time, the architecture festival invites you to take a look behind facades that would otherwise remain closed. From residential experiments to historic schools and art centres - the variety is huge. To make sure you don't lose your bearings, we show you a route across Zurich that you can follow at your leisure.

Full programme Open House Zurich

Tour: From innovative living and design space to art

When: Saturday, 27 September
Where: City of Zurich
Distance on foot: 9 km
Not all buildings are obstacle-free.
Open Google Maps route

In Albisrieden, the Langgrütstrasse 107 residential project shows what sustainable living can look like. Less individual space in favour of communal areas, continuous rooms and bright courtyards create a spacious living experience despite reduced standards. The architecture combines interior and exterior space in such a way that the flats almost look like open squares - an experiment with a radiant impact for the city of tomorrow.

Guided tours without registration: Saturday 11 | 11.30 a.m. | With architect Gus Wüstemann | Meeting point: in front of the entrance

Langgrütstrasse 107, 8047 Zurich
More information about the building

The Letzigraben outdoor pool is Max Frisch's most important surviving building. With its delicate wooden structures from the 1940s, it blends airily into the terrain and skilfully interlocks with nature. The family pool tells of a time when light, air and sun became part of a modern understanding of health and is still a place where architecture and leisure interact ideally.

Guided tours without registration: Saturday 11 am with Petra Hagen Hodgson, Dr phil. Art historian, lecturer BSLA | 12 - 2 pm Short guided tours with volunteers from Open House Zurich | Meeting point: in front of the main entrance

Edelweissstrasse 5, 8048 Zurich
More information about the location

If you prefer to walk a little less, here's your chance: catch bus 72 and travel to the Enge.

The Freudenberg-Enge cantonal school is considered a masterpiece of European post-war modernism. built in 1961 by Jacques Schader, the school building impresses with its bright rooms, high ceilings and large windows, nestled in an old park. It has been a listed building since 1987 - an impressive example of how education and architecture form an inspiring unity.

Guided tours without registration: Saturday 10 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. | Every full hour: Through the Enge Cantonal School, meeting point: Steinentischstrasse 10 | Every half hour: Through the Freudenberg Cantonal School, meeting point: Gutenbergstrasse 15

Gutenbergstrasse 15 & Steinentischstrasse 10, 8002 Zurich
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The timber-framed house on Kernstrasse tells the story of industrialisation around 1870. Once a factory and commercial building, it was used for crafts and trades - the "E. Gmirr Mechanische Werkstätte" on the ground floor is still a reminder of this past today. In the midst of the changing neighbourhood, artist Max Grüter affectionately describes his studio here as a "bobbing space station".

Open: Saturday + Sunday 3 - 6 pm

Kernstrasse 54, 8004 Zurich
More information about the building

The Tellhof shows how old tenements can be transformed into a lively ensemble for today. Renovated in stages, it combines colour, material and space to create a harmonious whole. The inner courtyard is now the meeting point and heart of the neighbourhood - and during Open House Zurich, you can explore the flats and the new gym, where history and the present are tangibly intertwined.

Open: Saturday 10 am - 5 pm
Guided tours without registration: Saturday 11 am | 1 pm | Tour of three flats and the Tellhof Gym | Max. Group size: 15 people - first come, first served | Meeting point: in the courtyard

Tellstrasse 22, 8004 Zurich
More information about the building

The "Red Tower" by Daniel Roth is a 13-metre-high art installation that gives the Zurich Vocational School of Technology a landmark visible from afar. A spiral staircase leads up to the glass platform, where a bench invites you to pause for a moment. Architecture, art and views merge here to create a special experience in the centre of the city.

Open: Saturday 10 am - 4 pm | Free viewing

Sihlquai 101, 8005 Zurich
More information about the Kunstbau

The Löwenbräu site shows how a brewery was transformed into a cultural quarter. Since the 1990s, museums, galleries and foundations have revitalised the area, complemented by a striking residential tower block. The conversions by Gigon/Guyer and Atelier WW combine heritage protection and new buildings to form a whole. During Open House Zurich, you can freely explore the art centre and discover the high-rise building on guided tours - a place where history, living and art come together.

A good place to end the tour, as you can also treat yourself to an aperitif here.

Open: Saturday + Sunday, 11am - 6pm

Guided tours without booking: Saturday 13 | 1.30 | 2 pm | Introduction by Löwenbräu-Kunst. Guided tours of the art centre and residential tower, with Gigon Guyer Partner Architekten. Max. Group size: 20 people - first come, first served

Limmatstrasse 270, 8005 Zurich
More information about the building

Those who prefer to go on their own discovery tour can also put together their own individual programme. On the Open House Zurich website, the 190 or so buildings can be filtered by theme, neighbourhood or interest - turning the city into an open architectural playground.

Create your own tour

Not enough yet? Then it's worth taking a look at the PLUS programme - with special guided tours, discussions and walks through the city.

View programme