Index: Core/Common/src/Core.Common.Gui/Commands/OpenProjectCommand.cs
===================================================================
diff -u
--- Core/Common/src/Core.Common.Gui/Commands/OpenProjectCommand.cs	(revision 0)
+++ Core/Common/src/Core.Common.Gui/Commands/OpenProjectCommand.cs	(revision 173fe221a98b3d8dfb9e0aeee0d93504ad899730)
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+using System;
+using System.IO;
+
+using Core.Common.Base.Data;
+using Core.Common.Base.Storage;
+using Core.Common.Gui.Properties;
+
+using log4net;
+
+namespace Core.Common.Gui.Commands
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Opens an existing project file from hard disk and loads that into the application.
+    /// </summary>
+    public class OpenProjectCommand : IGuiCommand
+    {
+        private static readonly ILog Log = LogManager.GetLogger(typeof(GuiCommandHandler));
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Initializes a new instance of the <see cref="OpenProjectCommand"/> class.
+        /// </summary>
+        public OpenProjectCommand()
+        {
+            Enabled = true;
+            Checked = false;
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Gets a value indicating whether a <see cref="Project"/> has successfully been loaded.
+        /// </summary>
+        public bool LoadWasSuccesful { get; private set; }
+
+        public bool Enabled { get; private set; }
+        public bool Checked { get; private set; }
+
+        public IGui Gui { get; set; }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Start the operation of opening a specified project file.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="filePath">The file path of the project to open.</param>
+        public void Execute(string filePath)
+        {
+            Execute(new object[]
+            {
+                filePath
+            });
+        }
+
+        public void Execute(params object[] arguments)
+        {
+            LoadWasSuccesful = false;
+            Log.Info(Resources.Project_existing_opening_project);
+
+            var filePath = (string)arguments[0];
+            Project loadedProject = TryReadProjectFromPath(filePath);
+            if (loadedProject == null)
+            {
+                Log.Warn(Resources.Project_existing_project_opening_failed);
+                return;
+            }
+
+            // Project loaded successfully, close current project
+            if (Gui.Project != null)
+            {
+                // remove views before closing project. 
+                Gui.CommandHandler.RemoveAllViewsForItem(Gui.Project);
+            }
+
+            Gui.ProjectFilePath = filePath;
+            Gui.Project = loadedProject;
+            Gui.Project.Name = Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(filePath);
+
+            // Set the gui selection to the current project
+            Gui.Selection = Gui.Project;
+
+            // Update the window title
+            Gui.UpdateTitle();
+
+            LoadWasSuccesful = true;
+            Log.Info(Resources.Project_existing_successfully_opened);
+        }
+
+        private Project TryReadProjectFromPath(string filePath)
+        {
+            IStoreProject storage = Gui.Storage;
+            try
+            {
+                return storage.LoadProject(filePath);
+            }
+            catch (ArgumentException e)
+            {
+                Log.Warn(e.Message);
+            }
+            catch (CouldNotConnectException e)
+            {
+                Log.Warn(e.Message);
+            }
+            catch (StorageValidationException e)
+            {
+                Log.Warn(e.Message);
+            }
+            return null;
+        }
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
Index: Core/Common/src/Core.Common.Gui/Core.Common.Gui.csproj
===================================================================
diff -u -r30b1d22e83a751ea0ac8a5924db199b67c36a623 -r173fe221a98b3d8dfb9e0aeee0d93504ad899730
--- Core/Common/src/Core.Common.Gui/Core.Common.Gui.csproj	(.../Core.Common.Gui.csproj)	(revision 30b1d22e83a751ea0ac8a5924db199b67c36a623)
+++ Core/Common/src/Core.Common.Gui/Core.Common.Gui.csproj	(.../Core.Common.Gui.csproj)	(revision 173fe221a98b3d8dfb9e0aeee0d93504ad899730)
@@ -120,6 +120,7 @@
     <Compile Include="Attributes\DynamicVisibleValidationMethodAttribute.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Attributes\PropertyOrderAttribute.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Commands\CreateNewProjectCommand.cs" />
+    <Compile Include="Commands\OpenProjectCommand.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Forms\MainWindow\Interop\NativeWin32.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Forms\MessageWindow\MessageWindowDialog.cs">
       <SubType>Form</SubType>
Index: Core/Common/src/Core.Common.Gui/Forms/MainWindow/MainWindow.xaml.cs
===================================================================
diff -u -r30b1d22e83a751ea0ac8a5924db199b67c36a623 -r173fe221a98b3d8dfb9e0aeee0d93504ad899730
--- Core/Common/src/Core.Common.Gui/Forms/MainWindow/MainWindow.xaml.cs	(.../MainWindow.xaml.cs)	(revision 30b1d22e83a751ea0ac8a5924db199b67c36a623)
+++ Core/Common/src/Core.Common.Gui/Forms/MainWindow/MainWindow.xaml.cs	(.../MainWindow.xaml.cs)	(revision 173fe221a98b3d8dfb9e0aeee0d93504ad899730)
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@
         private IEnumerable<IRibbonCommandHandler> ribbonCommandHandlers;
 
         private readonly CreateNewProjectCommand newProjectCommand;
+        private readonly OpenProjectCommand openProjectCommand;
 
         /// <summary>
         /// This is used when user selects non-contextual tab explicitly. Then we won't activate contextual tab on the next view activation.
@@ -85,6 +86,7 @@
             windowInteropHelper = new WindowInteropHelper(this);
 
             newProjectCommand = new CreateNewProjectCommand { Gui = gui };
+            openProjectCommand = new OpenProjectCommand { Gui = gui };
 
             log.Info(Properties.Resources.MainWindow_MainWindow_Main_window_created_);
         }
@@ -536,7 +538,7 @@
             {
                 try
                 {
-                    Gui.CommandHandler.OpenExistingProject(path);
+                    openProjectCommand.Execute(path);
                     RecentProjectsTabControl.Items.Remove(newItem);
                     RecentProjectsTabControl.Items.Insert(1, newItem);
                 }
Index: Core/Common/src/Core.Common.Gui/GuiCommandHandler.cs
===================================================================
diff -u -r30b1d22e83a751ea0ac8a5924db199b67c36a623 -r173fe221a98b3d8dfb9e0aeee0d93504ad899730
--- Core/Common/src/Core.Common.Gui/GuiCommandHandler.cs	(.../GuiCommandHandler.cs)	(revision 30b1d22e83a751ea0ac8a5924db199b67c36a623)
+++ Core/Common/src/Core.Common.Gui/GuiCommandHandler.cs	(.../GuiCommandHandler.cs)	(revision 173fe221a98b3d8dfb9e0aeee0d93504ad899730)
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="filePath">Location of the storage file.</param>
         /// <returns><c>true</c> if an existing <see cref="Project"/> has been loaded, <c>false</c> otherwise.</returns>
-        public bool OpenExistingProject(string filePath)
+        private bool OpenExistingProject(string filePath)
         {
             Log.Info(Resources.Project_existing_opening_project);
 
Index: Core/Common/src/Core.Common.Gui/IGuiCommandHandler.cs
===================================================================
diff -u -r30b1d22e83a751ea0ac8a5924db199b67c36a623 -r173fe221a98b3d8dfb9e0aeee0d93504ad899730
--- Core/Common/src/Core.Common.Gui/IGuiCommandHandler.cs	(.../IGuiCommandHandler.cs)	(revision 30b1d22e83a751ea0ac8a5924db199b67c36a623)
+++ Core/Common/src/Core.Common.Gui/IGuiCommandHandler.cs	(.../IGuiCommandHandler.cs)	(revision 173fe221a98b3d8dfb9e0aeee0d93504ad899730)
@@ -25,16 +25,6 @@
         bool OpenExistingProject();
 
         /// <summary>
-        /// Opens an existing project from file.
-        /// </summary>
-        /// <param name="filePath">The path to the existing project file.</param>
-        /// <remarks>
-        /// The opening action might be cancelled (due to user interaction).
-        /// </remarks>
-        /// <returns>Whether or not an existing project was correctly opened.</returns>
-        bool OpenExistingProject(string filePath);
-
-        /// <summary>
         /// Closes the current project.
         /// </summary>
         void CloseProject();
Index: Core/Common/test/Core.Common.Gui.Test/Commands/OpenProjectCommandTest.cs
===================================================================
diff -u
--- Core/Common/test/Core.Common.Gui.Test/Commands/OpenProjectCommandTest.cs	(revision 0)
+++ Core/Common/test/Core.Common.Gui.Test/Commands/OpenProjectCommandTest.cs	(revision 173fe221a98b3d8dfb9e0aeee0d93504ad899730)
@@ -0,0 +1,179 @@
+using System;
+
+using Core.Common.Base.Data;
+using Core.Common.Base.Storage;
+using Core.Common.Gui.Commands;
+using Core.Common.TestUtil;
+
+using NUnit.Framework;
+
+using Rhino.Mocks;
+
+namespace Core.Common.Gui.Test.Commands
+{
+    [TestFixture]
+    public class OpenProjectCommandTest
+    {
+        [Test]
+        public void DefaultConstructor_ExpectedValues()
+        {
+            // Call
+            var command = new OpenProjectCommand();
+
+            // Assert
+            Assert.IsInstanceOf<IGuiCommand>(command);
+            Assert.IsTrue(command.Enabled);
+            Assert.IsFalse(command.Checked);
+            Assert.IsFalse(command.LoadWasSuccesful);
+            Assert.IsNull(command.Gui);
+        }
+
+        [Test]
+        public void Execute_ValidFilePath_SetProjectAndReturnLoadWasSuccesfulTrue()
+        {
+            // Setup
+            var expectedProject = new Project();
+            const string path = "cool file.bro";
+
+            var mocks = new MockRepository();
+            var storageMock = mocks.StrictMock<IStoreProject>();
+            storageMock.Expect(s => s.LoadProject(path)).Return(expectedProject);
+
+            var guiMock = mocks.Stub<IGui>();
+            guiMock.Project = null;
+            guiMock.Stub(g => g.Storage).Return(storageMock);
+            guiMock.Expect(g => g.UpdateTitle());
+            mocks.ReplayAll();
+
+            var command = new OpenProjectCommand
+            {
+                Gui = guiMock
+            };
+
+            // Call
+            Action call = () => command.Execute(path);
+            
+            // Assert
+            var expectedMessages = new[]
+            {
+                "Openen van bestaand Ringtoets project.",
+                "Bestaand Ringtoets project succesvol geopend."
+            };
+            TestHelper.AssertLogMessagesAreGenerated(call, expectedMessages, 2);
+            Assert.AreSame(expectedProject, guiMock.Project);
+            Assert.AreEqual("cool file", expectedProject.Name);
+            Assert.AreEqual(path, guiMock.ProjectFilePath);
+            Assert.AreSame(expectedProject, guiMock.Selection);
+            Assert.True(command.LoadWasSuccesful);
+        }
+
+        [Test]
+        public void Execute_ValidFilePathAndAlreadyHasProject_CloseViewsOldProjectAndSetProjectAndReturnLoadWasSuccesfulTrue()
+        {
+            // Setup
+            var originalProject = new Project();
+            var expectedProject = new Project();
+            const string path = "cool file.bro";
+
+            var mocks = new MockRepository();
+            var storageMock = mocks.StrictMock<IStoreProject>();
+            storageMock.Expect(s => s.LoadProject(path)).Return(expectedProject);
+
+            var commandHandlerMock = mocks.StrictMock<IGuiCommandHandler>();
+            commandHandlerMock.Expect(ch => ch.RemoveAllViewsForItem(originalProject));
+
+            var guiMock = mocks.Stub<IGui>();
+            guiMock.Project = originalProject;
+            guiMock.Stub(g => g.Storage).Return(storageMock);
+            guiMock.Expect(g => g.UpdateTitle());
+            guiMock.CommandHandler = commandHandlerMock;
+            mocks.ReplayAll();
+
+            var command = new OpenProjectCommand
+            {
+                Gui = guiMock
+            };
+
+            // Call
+            command.Execute(path);
+
+            // Assert
+            Assert.AreSame(expectedProject, guiMock.Project);
+            Assert.AreEqual("cool file", expectedProject.Name);
+            Assert.AreEqual(path, guiMock.ProjectFilePath);
+            Assert.AreSame(expectedProject, guiMock.Selection);
+            Assert.True(command.LoadWasSuccesful);
+        }
+
+        [Test]
+        public void Execute_StorageThrowsArgumentException_DoNotAffectProjectAndViewAndLogError()
+        {
+            ExecuteOpenProjectCommandAndThrowExceptionDuringLoad(new ArgumentException("<some error message>"));
+        }
+
+        [Test]
+        public void Execute_StorageThrowsCouldNotConnectException_DoNotAffectProjectAndViewAndLogError()
+        {
+            ExecuteOpenProjectCommandAndThrowExceptionDuringLoad(new CouldNotConnectException("<some error message>"));
+        }
+
+        [Test]
+        public void Execute_StorageThrowsStorageValidationException_DoNotAffectProjectAndViewAndLogError()
+        {
+            ExecuteOpenProjectCommandAndThrowExceptionDuringLoad(new StorageValidationException("<some error message>"));
+        }
+
+        private static void ExecuteOpenProjectCommandAndThrowExceptionDuringLoad(Exception exception)
+        {
+            // Setup
+            const string originalName = "original name";
+            const string originalPath = originalName + ".tof";
+
+            var originalProject = new Project
+            {
+                Name = originalName
+            };
+            const string path = "cool file.bro";
+            string errorMessage = exception.Message;
+
+            var mocks = new MockRepository();
+            var storageMock = mocks.StrictMock<IStoreProject>();
+            storageMock.Expect(s => s.LoadProject(path)).Throw(exception);
+
+            var commandHandlerMock = mocks.StrictMock<IGuiCommandHandler>();
+            commandHandlerMock.Expect(ch => ch.RemoveAllViewsForItem(originalProject));
+
+            var guiMock = mocks.Stub<IGui>();
+            guiMock.Project = originalProject;
+            guiMock.Stub(g => g.Storage).Return(storageMock);
+            guiMock.Expect(g => g.UpdateTitle());
+            guiMock.CommandHandler = commandHandlerMock;
+            guiMock.ProjectFilePath = originalPath;
+            mocks.ReplayAll();
+
+            var command = new OpenProjectCommand
+            {
+                Gui = guiMock
+            };
+
+            // Call
+            Action call = () => command.Execute(path);
+
+            // Assert
+            var expectedMessages = new[]
+            {
+                "Openen van bestaand Ringtoets project.",
+                errorMessage,
+                "Het is niet gelukt om het Ringtoets project te laden."
+            };
+            TestHelper.AssertLogMessagesAreGenerated(call, expectedMessages, 3);
+            Assert.AreSame(originalProject, guiMock.Project,
+                           "Original project should still exist.");
+            Assert.AreEqual(originalName, originalProject.Name,
+                            "Name should not be updated");
+            Assert.AreEqual(originalPath, guiMock.ProjectFilePath,
+                            "Project file path should remain unchanged.");
+            Assert.False(command.LoadWasSuccesful);
+        }
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
Index: Core/Common/test/Core.Common.Gui.Test/Core.Common.Gui.Test.csproj
===================================================================
diff -u -r30b1d22e83a751ea0ac8a5924db199b67c36a623 -r173fe221a98b3d8dfb9e0aeee0d93504ad899730
--- Core/Common/test/Core.Common.Gui.Test/Core.Common.Gui.Test.csproj	(.../Core.Common.Gui.Test.csproj)	(revision 30b1d22e83a751ea0ac8a5924db199b67c36a623)
+++ Core/Common/test/Core.Common.Gui.Test/Core.Common.Gui.Test.csproj	(.../Core.Common.Gui.Test.csproj)	(revision 173fe221a98b3d8dfb9e0aeee0d93504ad899730)
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@
     <Compile Include="Attributes\TestCaseClasses\DynamicReadOnlyTestCases.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Attributes\TestCaseClasses\DynamicVisibilityTestCases.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Commands\CreateNewProjectCommandTest.cs" />
+    <Compile Include="Commands\OpenProjectCommandTest.cs" />
     <Compile Include="ContextMenu\ContextMenuBuilderExceptionTest.cs" />
     <Compile Include="ContextMenu\ContextMenuBuilderTest.cs" />
     <Compile Include="ContextMenu\StrictContextMenuItemTest.cs" />