History & heritage  |  5 Aug 2025

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Calling all curious neighbours, inquisitive passers-by, design professionals and architecture lovers - nominate a building you think is worth celebrating at Open Christchurch 2026.

The one-weekend-old celebration of architectural excellence is returning for its sixth edition on 1-3 May 2026 to shine the light on Christchurch’s buildings and landscapes of architectural, cultural and historical significance.

The festival has grown from strength to strength since its 2021 inception, with increasing and diversifying participation from both attendees and collaborators indicating a widespread and genuine desire to discover and explore the city’s special spaces. 

Te Pūtahi director Jessica Halliday says this is an opportunity for anyone to help shape Open Christchurch. “We welcome nominations from anybody with a passion for architecture and the city.

“Has your curiosity been piqued by a specific building in your neighbourhood? Do you know a special building well and think others should get to experience it? If so, we would love to hear from you.”

Te Manawa Atawhai Catherine McAuley Centre (Hamish Shaw Architects, 2019), photo by Sarah Rowlands

The nominations’ process just requires permission from the building owner or occupier. Being nominated is not a commitment to participate in Open Christchurch 2026.

The final selection of buildings and sites will be decided by Te Pūtahi’s Building Council. They’ll consider a host of factors, including but not limited to design excellence, rarity, contribution to the city’s history and sense of place, significance to Māori architecture and history, innovation, sustainability and heritage significance.

Open Christchurch offers attendees the chance to explore and experience great design first-hand, through special access to buildings.

Festival organisers welcome public nominations, seeing them as means for more people to contribute to and inform this experience.

A volunteer and building partner at Fonua Mana (Bull O’Sullivan Architects, 2022), photo by Peanut Productions

The nominations form and the complete list of building criteria can be found on the Open Christchurch website. Nominations close on 22 August 2025.

Image: Christchurch Boys’ High – Main Block (J. S. and M. J. Guthrie, 1926; restoration, alterations and additions: Athfield Architects, 2025), photo by Sarah Rowlands