Christchurch is full of rich architectural heritage. Photo: 123rf
Thousands of people are expected to experience dozens of unique buildings in Ōtautahi this weekend.
Open Christchurch, the city's annual architecture festival, kicks off today with 50 venues open to the public - including a school, surf life saving club, the Cathedral and private residences.
Festival director Dr Jessica Halliday said the event was open to everyone, with youth activities, presentations and accessibility tours available across the two days.
"These are all exceptional works of architecture.
"They range from some of our oldest educational buildings from early in the colonial settlement of Christchurch, through to a really recent building designed for Christchurch's only kaupapa Māori youth development organisation."
Thirty-three of the open buildings do not need a booking and people are encouraged to walk in during the weekend.
Christ Church Cathedral is one of the buildings that people will be touring. Photo: Adam Burns / RNZ
Halliday said some of the 17 booking-only sessions had sold out within hours of opening.
"Iconic heritage buildings proved particularly attractive, with the Canterbury Provincial Council Chambers and the Christ Church Cathedral booking out within 24 hours, as did the Warren and Mahoney designed private residences, RC Webb and Schneideman House."
The festival began in 2021, and last year's event saw more than 12,000 wander through the programme of buildings.
The Canterbury Earthquakes had created large cityscape changes, generating a strong local interest in architecture and building, Halliday said.
"What we know is because of the earthquakes, this festival is more relevant than it could be anywhere else in the country."
Open Christchurch also hoped to welcome people into different spaces and foster a sense of belonging in the city.
"You go somewhere you've never been before, and you meet a community or a representative of a community who you've never had an opportunity to meet before and we hope that builds new connections between people, as well as between people and this place, Ōtautahi Christchurch."
The full programme, activities and accessibility information, can be found on the event website.