BRITISH COUNCIL LAUNCHES OPEN HOUSE LAGOS: 29 APRIL - 1 MAY 2016

A highly anticipated event in the city’s architectural calendar, Open House Lagos is a unique celebration of the buildings, places and spaces where we live, work and play. It provides an opportunity to see, explore and learn about Lagos’ amazing architecture and design over one weekend.

With over twenty buildings opening their doors to all, Open House Lagos selection will showcase beautifully designed residences, innovative infrastructure projects and prestigious civic buildings all for free.

The showcase is scheduled to take place from Friday 29, April to Sunday 1, May 2016. Focusing on the importance of good design in creating and sustaining a vibrant city, it is a unique opportunity to know on a first hand basis what makes Lagos the great city it is today and while creating a platform to be inspired by the power of architecture in transforming the quality of our lives.

Open House Lagos tells the story of progressive growth of architecture in Lagos, exploring the diverse historical buildings we have protected for years while unravelling contemporary designs. Lagos citizens will find out more about issues that are relevant to their local area - from the design of homes to the impact of climate change, and the role of architects and contemporary design in revitalising a city.

Highlights of Open House Lagos include: access to some of newest, most innovative constructions in West Africa and many homes of modern and classical architectural distinction. Visitors can also join in themed bus tours led by well-informed, trained tour guides and take home festival memorabilia including the limited edition festival guide.

The Open House Worldwide Family brand was created in 2010, connecting a community of over 30 cities who organise annual events with the same model, and an audience of over 1 million people who participate in Open House events across the globe. The concept's success is due to it acting as an exemplary model of engagement with a city's citizens, and a step towards bridging the gap between experts and users.

Well-designed buildings and public spaces are vital in creating and sustaining a vibrant city and Open House Lagos will enable the wider community to become more knowledgeable, engage in dialogue and make informed judgements about the architecture of their city.” – Victoria Thornton OBE (Founder and Director of Open City / Open House Worldwide

Ojoma Ochai, Director Arts, British Council Nigeria, said:  “We are excited to launch the first Open House Lagos, especially because this is first of its kind in Africa in a creative sector we have not been known to work in extensively in Nigeria. This has been made possible thanks to the passion and drive of the Open House advisory Board, the Open House team and our generous collaborators. We have been privileged to gain access to buildings that truly demonstrate the best of Lagos architecture. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the weekend’s festivities for Open House Lagos 2016.”

Open House Lagos is proudly supported by Sterling Bank Nigeria, Citi FM, WFM, Spice TV, Guardian TV, The Guardian, Hello Magazine, Mania Magazine, Genevieve Magazine, Wings Magazine, Exquisite Magazine,Guardian Life, Bellanaija, 54 Artistry,Pride Magazine, TSA, Olorisupergal, Olodo Nation, 360 Nobs, Guardian Arts and Pulse NG.

For more information, please visit

Website: www.britishcouncil.org.ng/uk-nigeria-2015-16/open-house

Twitter: @openhouselagos
Instagram: openhouselagos

Press information: 0812767551 or email esther@bobbytaylorcompany.com(these contact details not for publication)

ABOUT OPEN HOUSE
The Open House concept was founded in 1992 in London by Victoria Thornton, with the aim of fostering a better understanding of architecture and the built environment outside the profession.

To reflect the ever growing number of cities adopting the concept around the world, the Open House Worldwide Family brand was created in 2010, connecting a community of over 30 cities who organise annual events with the same model, and an audience of over 1 million people who participate in Open House events across the globe. The concept's success is due to it acting as an exemplary model of engagement with a city's citizens, and a step towards bridging the gap

between experts and users.

ABOUT STERLING BANK

Sterling Bank Plc “the one-customer bank” is a full service national commercial bank in Nigeria. In over 50 years of operations, Sterling Bank (formerly NAL Bank) has evolved from the nation’s pre-eminent investment banking institution to a fully-fledged commercial bank; and completed a merger with 4 other banks – Indo-Nigeria Merchant Bank, Magnum Trust Bank, NBM Bank and Trust Bank of Africa – as part of the 2006 consolidation of the Nigerian banking industry.