07 MAY 2024: BABYLONSTOREN UNVeILS SOETMELKSVLEI
For the last four years the OPEN CITY team has been working tirelessly on a special museum project for Babylonstoren. It’s finally open to the public: “Step back in time at Soetmelksvlei, a new excursion at Babylonstoren. This extraordinary project celebrates the artisan spirit of a 19th century farmyard and is just a short shuttle ride from Babylonstoren. We invite you to interact with master craftspeople as they go about their daily chores, attend a hands-on workshop or tuck into some hearty fare at the Old Stables Restaurant”. Read more here
08 APRIL 2024: VISI MAGAZINE FEATURES SUNSET HOUSE
“I love, for example, how architects Johan Wentzel and Grete van As with their Waterkloof Ridge house (p114), and Bettina Woodward with her Stellenbosch design (p100), have created homes that pay homage to Mid-century sensibilities, but that have been interpreted in a thoroughly modern way. It’s a tough ask to design something that acknowledges its roots yet still has a sense of place in a contemporary setting – but it is masterfully accomplished in these two homes.” writes Steve Smith, Editor. Read more here
01 JANUARY 2024: SCAPE MAGAZINE LISTS BETTINA WOODWARD AS ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA's TOP ARCHITECTS!
“So today, right here at the centennial mark, and as I sit to pen my note on the issue we’re about to green-light at the press, I can say, we have made the decision not to look back at our journey thus far in this issue, but rather to use our influence and voice to look forward – and to spotlight the 100 Voices and 100 Icons of industry we feel are set to make waves and inspire you for the year ahead!” Read more here
04 OCTOBER 2023: OPEN CITY WINS CIFA AWARD FOR SUNSET HOUSE!
On Wednesday, the 4th of October 2023, the Cape Institute of Architecture announced 11 award-winning buildings selected from eighty-five entries, in recognition of outstanding contributions to architecture. We are proud that our commitment to design excellence continues to be recognised by the Institute and broader architectural community. Read more about the project here.
07 JUNE 2023: BREAKING GROUND WITH TIMBER HOUSE IN NOORDHOEK!
We are so excited to see Timber House come out of the ground! We set out to blend the building with the landscape by using natural materials and integrating it with the garden through courtyards, roof gardens and planters. An extensive indigenous garden with an eco-pool enhances the ecological sensibility and focus on sustainable design. Read more here
03 NOVEMBER 2022: OPEN CITY LAUNCHES NEW COWORKING SPACE IN CAPE TOWN
OPEN CO-WORKSPACE opened its second coworking space at 109 Loop Street! This light touch renovation has enhanced the building’s original features whilst upgrading it into a vibrant creative workplace. Download the Open Co-Workspace at 109 Loop Guide
02 DECEMBER 2021 EXHIBITION: "WINDS OF CHANGE" BY HER PERSPECTIVE
Join us for the launch of Winds of Change. The installation brings to light the current demographics of the South African Architectural Profession to emphasise the need to support transformation in the industry. Thank you to Malachite Fynbos Gin for hosting the bar, CifA and Open Co Workspace for the gorgeous gallery space. “When the winds of change blow, some people build walls, others build windmills” – Chinese proverb. Come be part of the change! Read more about Her Perspective here.
04 OCTOBER 2021 EXHIBITION: "TJOMMIES" BY ALEX COETZEE
The Plot presents Cape Town based artist, Alex Coetzee. In his solo show ‘Tjommies (The Musical)’, anthropomorphic sculptures, stately and solid in physical form, come to life through digital manipulation and AR technology.
01 SEPTEMBER 2021 EXHIBITION: "LA CITTÀ VUOTA" BY LORENZO NASSIMBENI
La Città Vuota (‘The Empty City’) is an exhibition of drawings by Lorenzo Nassimbeni held at OPEN CO WORKSPACE at 163 Bree Street, Cape Town. It pays homage to those who lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. The title of the exhibition relates to the emptiness of the streets of Italian cities as a result of the lockdown restrictions. One of the drawings in the exhibition, La Chiesa Di Santa Maria Della Salute, shows a church which was built in honour of the Venetians that lost their lives during the Plague of 1631. The exhibition also acknowledges the entrance space to the building in which it is held. The exhibition is an urban gesture, as was Bocelli’s concert, celebrating the building and its relationship to the street. The exhibition communicates a wish that the inner city will thrive once more, as people return to it for work and recreation.
14 APRIL 2021 EXHIBITION: "EVERYTHING MUST GO" BY MICHAELA YOUNGE
A public VR installation in collaboration with The Plot and the Cape Town-based artist Michaela Younge. The art installation will be open to the public for the month of April at OPEN CO WORKSPACE @ 163 Bree Street. Read more about the exhibition here.
04 OCTOBER 2019: LAGOON HOUSE WINS CIFA AWARD FOR ARCHITECTURE!
On Wednesday, the 2nd of October 2019, the Cape Institute of Architecture announced 15 award-winning buildings selected from ninety-two entries. We are delighted that Lagoon House was amongst them! Read more about the award here.
17 JULY 2019: HOUSE AND LEISURE MAGAZINE FEATURES OUR RENOVATION!
We recently restored and renovated a landmark modernist home dating back to 1972. See link to the online story here
14 MAY 2019: OPEN CITY WINS TENDER FOR LANGEBAAN TRANSPORT HUB
Open City has won the tender for the development of this exciting project. It posits a new approach to encourage active street life and seeks to integrate transport with other commercial and social amenities to bring a pedestrian vibrancy back into the town center. First and foremost, the transport hub addresses the imminent need for a formal taxi rank to cater for long and short-distance taxis that currently serve the town. More about the project here.
07 MAY 2019: STRANDVELD HOUSE FEATURES IN VISI
VISI Magazine has featured our Strandveld House! “This modern yet modest holiday home, built using recycled and sustainable materials. It artfully references the classic fisherman’s cottage and quintessential West Coast vernacular.” Thanks to Aubrey Jonnson for the photographs and Retha Erichsen for the styling. Find the VISI feature here.
4 MAY 2019: OPEN CITY INAUGURATES NEW COWORKING SPACE
We had a fantastic launch party with Mantua Silkwear on the 24th of April to officially open our new co-working studio space. Mantua unveiled their new range of silk scarves at the same time. A big thank you to Krone MCC and Autograph Gin Distillery for sponsoring our drinks for the evening.