From Oct. 18-19 Chicago architecture enthusiasts and urban explorers alike will have the opportunity to explore the insides of 210 sites throughout the city, many of which are not usually open to the public, through the Chicago Architecture Center’s free Open House Chicago event. Marking the event’s 15th anniversary, Open House Chicago has added 30 new sites to its lineup, new “Neighborhood Headquarters” across the city to help plan your day, and the second annual Open House Chicago photo competition. Here’s a few sites to look out for this year:

• A part of the event since its founding in 2011, the Emil Bach House, 7415 N. Sheridan Rd., is a compact Prairie Style home designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright but built by an admirer of his work, Emil Bach. The Bach House is Chicago’s only remaining building of Wright’s series of geometric, cubic homes with overhanging, flat roofs. In 2014, the building was renovated, and has since been used as a vacation home and event house. As part of the renovation, a Japanese tea garden, an homage to Wright’s experience in Japan and how it influenced his style, was built alongside the building. The house, tea garden and surrounding gardens will be open for the event. 
• One of the new sites this year, the Ramova Theatre, 3520 S. Halsted St., was a simple neighborhood movie theater from 1929 until its closing in 1985. Now, under the management of Emily and Tyler Nevius and the architectural eye of Dan O’Riley, the neoclassical and Spanish revival style “atmospheric theater” has been reborn as a mixed-use music venue. For this year’s event, the theater will be host to many guided tours, including an architectural ornamentation exploration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 18, in which visitors will be able to learn more about ornamentations before adding one of their own to a stained glass window, archway or niche.
• Many University of Chicago sites have joined Open House Chicago for the first time this year. One is the David Rubenstein Forum, 1201 E. 60th St. Named after 1973 alumnus and trustee David Rubenstein, the 90,000-square foot venue was designed by celebrated New York-based architecture firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro and is commonly used for social events, workshops, symposia and lectures.

To see the full list of sites, events and some advised exploration routes, visit openhousechicago.org