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Melbourne Open House returns this July, and organisers are asking Melbournians to nominate buildings to be included in the event.

The free event, now in its third year, aims to showcase the city’s architectural heritage and celebrate the value of architecture and urban design. Following the success of the 2009 event, which saw over 50,000 visits to 32 buildings, this year the program will be spread over two days, from 24-25 July 2010.

The 2009 event included the Melbourne Athenaeum, Manchester Unity Building, Denton Corker Marshall’s 101 Collins Street, DesignInc’s CH2, RMIT Storey Hall refurbished in 1994 by ARM and the Russell Place electricity substation. Melbourne Town Hall and Offices, the T&G Building and Queen’s Hall State Library of Victoria were the top three most visited buildings.

Organisers said they would like to explore several themes, including infrastructure – the buildings and spaces that make Melbourne tick; housing – exploring high and medium density housing as well as significant residential buildings of Melbourne’s past; and gardens in the sky.

MOH spokesperson Robert Larocca said the event gave Melbournians the chance to be tourists in their own city, adding: “It’s a once a year opportunity to experience the buildings that make Melbourne, Melbourne.”

Larocca said the team hopes to get 50 buildings included this year. Building owners or managers who wish to nominate their building should contact the team at info@moh.org.au by 1 March 2010.

The program will be announced in June. The Victorian Government’s State of Design Festival is the event partner of Melbourne Open House.

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