[2] The Open House initiative highlights the value of design in creating liveable cities and the role everyone plays in them through dialogue with key stakeholders[jargon] and the wider public.
She was also (from 1994) Director of the first formal RIBA Architecture Centre, developing lecture programmes and international exhibitions.
In 1992 Thornton founded the charity Open House (later renamed Open-City) in London to enable people outside the profession to have a better understanding of architecture and urban design.
The Open House initiative seeks to showcase outstanding architecture for all to experience, free of charge, and to invite everyone to explore, debate and advocate for the value of a well-designed built environment.
[3] As well as being Director of Open-City and Open House (1992–2016), Thornton also developed and chaired programmes to engage young people and decision-makers in issues around quality in the built environment, including Adopt a School, Architecture in Schools, London Exemplar for Planning Councillors, Summer Architecture Academy and My City Too!.