It has been another huge year for Open House Hobart. We are currently on track for 10,000 house visitors and event participants over the course of the program, which is an amazing accomplishment. The Institute coordinates Open House Hobart as its premiere advocacy program to enhance everyone’s understanding and appreciation of architecture and the built environment, and this year included an affordable housing theme.
Many weeks of planning go into Open House and we couldn’t deliver it without our many generous sponsors and volunteers, who are all amazing!
The National Architecture Awards winners were announced on the 29 October and it wasn’t the biggest shock to find out that Taylor and Hinds’ The Homestead Renewal at Wybalenna and The Ablutions projects, undertaken for and with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Land Council, received more national recognition, along with the University of Tasmania’s widely acclaimed ‘The Forest’ (Woods and Bagot).
Following on from a national review of Institute committee operations undertaken over the last 18-month or so, Chapter Council has been reviewing our own committee structure in light of the recommendations. Chapter Council is considering some relatively minor but important changes to the Tasmanian Chapter committees and members can expect to receive an invitation to participate in an online briefing and opportunity to comment on the proposals.
Last but not least, the final Open House Hobart events will run tonight (Wednesday 11 November) and tomorrow night. They are both film events, the first being an Australian housing affordability documentary at the Chapter office and the second being the film, the First Siza, an in depth look into the world of Portuguese architect, Álvaro Siza, which will be shown at the State Cinema. Both events can be booked through the Open House Hobart website: Hobart 2026 – Open House Hobart.
Jennifer Nichols
Executive Leader, Tasmanian and International Chapters
Australian Institute of Architects
Photo: Nina Hamilton