about-mission mission & history

mission

openhousenewyork celebrates New York City’s architecture and design and:

promotes a greater appreciation of New York City’s built environment;
broadens public awareness by exposing a diverse audience to distinctive examples of architecture, engineering and design;
educates and provokes discussion of issues of excellence in design, planning and preservation;
showcases outstanding new work as well as buildings and structures of historic merit.

history

openhousenewyork (OHNY) was inspired by the success of similar events, starting with Open House London, Doors Open Toronto and other cities around the world. The 2003 inaugural OHNY Weekend was launched as part of New York City's first Architecture Week. Through the Annual openhousenewyork Weekend and other year-round programs, OHNY educates a diverse audience about New York's rich architectural, urban and historical development by providing access to innovative, inspiring and engaging sites of architectural, engineering and design significance. Inspired by his volunteer experiences with Open House London, openhousenewyork inc.'s founder, Scott Lauer, started the organization in 2001.