Open Doors at Sunshine Coast Open House
As Sunshine Coast Open House prepares to lay out the welcome mat on award-winning designs, Deb Caruso peeks behind the doors of what’s on offer.
Recently I had the pleasure of being a Judge on the Australian Institute of Architects’ Sunshine Coast Regional Awards Jury, spending two full days exploring and examining outstanding examples of architectural design in a coastal context.
The chance to see inside and explore the external design features of our region’s outstanding dream homes was inspiring and insightful!
Thanks to Sunshine Coast Open House, everyone now has the opportunity to explore a range of architectural treasures including a 1960s beach shack, a family tree house, a glamorous mountain residence and a historic homestead where you can go back in time.
Sunshine Coast Open House is part of the Open House Worldwide network, founded by Open House London in 1992 and now in more than 50 cities around the world and is our region’s largest public architecture and design festival.
Doors will be thrown open on a range of dream homes over the weekend of 21-22 October and there will also be a range of rare, behind-the-scenes tours, walks, talks and special experiences ahead of the Open House weekend.
Officially launched by Queensland Governor, Dr Jeannette Young on 5 September 2023, properties laying out the welcome mat this year includes:
- Eumundi House by Peter Ireland featuring art, architecture and horses in the Cooroy Mountain landscape;
- Banksia House, a relaxing oasis at Kings Beach showcasing stunning architecture by Dragi Majstorovic with an award-winning garden by Kirsti Sheldon;
- Currimundi House by architect Laura Hodgson which demonstrates how a humble beach shack can be transformed into a comfortable family home;
- The Art Room at Tinbeerwah by Bark Architects will provide a beautiful example of giving an unused building a second life; and
- Stealth House at Palmwoods by Sealand Architects, with a glorious cantilevered deck beyond your wildest dreams!
This is just a taste of what’s on offer as this free community event celebrates the region’s historic, contemporary, and sustainable buildings from Caloundra to Noosa and through the hinterland.
Sunshine Coast Open House Committee Chair and internationally-renowned architect, Lindsay Clare, said he was thrilled to officially launch more than 25 of the region’s most inspiring buildings for the Open House weekend.
“Open House provides a rare chance to meet the inspirational owners, architects, designers and historians who create, build or preserve these buildings and whose contributions make the Sunshine Coast a unique and special place,” he said.
Lindsay will be part of two events as part of the Sunshine Coast Open House program. The first on 7 September at
Uni SC about the work of Clare Design, discussing key projects over five decades including Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA); and the second talk will be the Open House Forum on 20 October at Altitude 9, City Hall, Maroochydore where Lindsay will be joined by prominent architect John Mainwaring to tell the story of the “Sunshine Coast School of Architecture” pioneered by Gabriel Poole. The legacy of this movement will be explored with a new generation of Sunshine Coast architects who continue to contribute to stunning design in the region.
Sunshine Coast Open House 2023 includes more than 15 lead-up events including Architecture talks, tours, library talks, ‘Paint and Sip’ events focused on the iconic Queenslander, a Heritage conference, Urban Sketching and a Children’s Activity program.
Helping the community to embrace good design, Sunshine Coast Council is proud to be the principal sponsor through its Arts + Heritage Levy and the Sunshine Coast Design and Cool Homes campaigns.
Noosa Shire Council is sponsoring a Heritage Conference at The J on 5 October that will provocatively explore – “…if the region has any heritage”.
For volunteer at a house or register for an event or tour, visit www.sunshinecoastopenhouse.com.au
SUNSHINE COAST OPEN HOUSE 2023 EVENTS
TALKS ON OPEN HOUSE DESIGNS
Be inspired by local architecture.
2-15 September, 10am-11:30am
Various Sunshine Coast Libraries
‘PAINT AND SIP’ TO CELEBRATE QUEENSLAND ARCHITECTURE
Tuesday 3 October,12noon-3pm
Bankfoot House, Glasshouse Mountains
18 October, 5:30pm–8:30pm
The MET, Maroochydore CBD
HERITAGE TALK – SUNSHINE COAST AND NOOSA, WHAT HERITAGE?
A series of speakers challenging the perception of ‘heritage’ in the region.
11 October, 4.30pm-7.30pm
The J Noosa, Noosa Junction
OPEN HOUSE FORUM
Friday 20 October from 6pm
Altitude Nine, City Hall, Maroochydore
ARCHITECT FOR A DAY
For high school students interested in studying architecture.
Saturday 14 October, 10am-1pm
Bellvista Meeting Place, Caloundra West
ASK AN ARCHITECT AT ACE.
Free mini consultation with an architect. Saturday 21 October from 4pm
WALKING TOURS
Discover special places and learn more about the Sunshine Coast during several small group walking tours.
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October
URBAN SKETCHING
Celebrate the Sunshine Coast’s urban environment through Urban Sketching. Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October
CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
A fun activity book for children, full of amazing sketches and puzzles by some of the Sunshine Coast’s most creative architects, designers and organisations.
PHOTO COMPETITION
Enter the Sunshine Coast Open House Photography Competition for your chance to win $1,000.
Learn more about Sunshine Coast Open House or register for a tour or event at www.sunshinecoastopenhouse.com.au
The complete building list will be launched on Tuesday 5 September 2023.
