Como House Melbourne (Image: The Age)

Have you ever wandered past a beautiful building in the city and wondered what it looked like inside? Your opportunity to visit the interior of that building might have arrived, with the sixth Open House Melbourne being held this weekend.

Open House Melbourne is an annual event which celebrates the architectural gems that the city has to offer. This year over 100 buildings will throw their doors open to the public, across nine precincts set out by the event organisers. The precincts are Central; Docklands; North (centred round Carlton); West (mostly between Elizabeth and Spencer Streets); South (Southbank and South Melbourne); East (along Spring Street and across Fitzroy Gardens); Port Phillip, Stonnington, and Other (including properties in Brunswick, Hawthorn, Fitzroy North and Kew).

Myer’s Mural hall (Image: Timeout)

Ten buildings will operate tours on a ballot system. All buildings will be on show for free, and are expected to attract record numbers this year. Open House Melbourne’s website states that “the architecture of our city is a reflection of our culture. The buildings we design and build today, and those we protect, will form our future heritage and define the Melbourne of tomorrow. Our city explains our past, represents the present and offers insights into our future.”

RMIT University’s striking Design Hub (Image: Open House Melbourne)

Among the buildings open this year are the Melbourne Arts Centre, Channel 9’s studios in Docklands, Council House 2, The Esplanade Hotel in St Kilda, the Myer Mural Hall, the RMIT University Design Hub and Como House and Garden.

Open House Melbourne will run today and tomorrow, and more details about this interesting festival are available on the Open House Melbourne website.