Design Inspiration: Coast’s most impressive properties unlocked

A revived 1960s beach treasure -, a family tree house inspired by a Californian dream and a historic homestead where you can walk through time are among the amazing buildings being opened to the public as part of a popular festival.

Sunshine Coast Open House is the region’s largest public architecture and design festival, offering rare, behind-the-scenes tours, talks and special experiences including paint and sip class in a charming Queenslander and students becoming an “architect for a day’’.

The 2023 program has been officially launched by Queensland Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM at Sunshine Coast City Hall ahead of the Open House weekend on October 21 and 22.

Properties throwing open their doors include Eumundi House by Peter Ireland, which features art and architecture in the landscape; Banksia House by Dragi Majstorovic at Kings Beach, which showcases stunning architecture in an award-winning garden by Kirsti Sheldon Hodgson House in Currimundi by Laura Hodgson that showcases a recent renovation that has turned an old beach shack into a stunning family home; and the Art Room in Tinbeerwah by Bark Architects, a beautiful example of giving a building a new life.

L-R Sunshine Coast Open House Ambassador Noel Robinson, Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson, Queensland Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM and Sunshine Coast Open House Committee Chair Lindsay Clare

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said the free community event celebrated the region’s historic, contemporary and sustainable buildings from Caloundra to Noosa and into the hinterland.

“Our region is well known for its design and architecture.” Mayor Jamieson said.

“From the coast to the hinterland, we have a history of great design that is acknowledged nationally and internationally.

“Sunshine Coast design celebrates the region’s unique history and architecture with built form that considers the local climate, prioritises indoor-outdoor living and maximises living within the landscape.

“The Sunshine Coast Open House festival offers rare, behind-the-scenes access to the Sunshine Coast’s best buildings, including private homes, corporate buildings, heritage treasures and sustainable spaces.”

Learn from design experts

The festival will provide an opportunity to meet and gain inspiration from the talented people who design, build and preserve these buildings.

The community is invited to go behind the scenes and learn how some of the Sunshine Coast’s most impressive properties use design to embrace the climate and create liveable spaces, capitalise on views, incorporate energy efficiency and honour unique historical and cultural features.

Sunshine Coast Open House Committee Chair and Clare Design director Lindsay Clare said he was thrilled to officially open the doors to more than 23 of the region’s inspiring buildings for the weekend event.

“I invite everyone to visit this year’s range of well-designed homes and buildings that showcase the importance of responsive design for the future of the region. Good design can help decrease the cost of living as you don’t need to live with air conditioning all summer and heating all winter,” Mr Clare said.

“Sunshine Coast Open House will allow people to tour a selection of historic and architecturally significant buildings as part of the 2023 program as well as attend walking tours, ‘Paint and Sip’ events focused on the Queenslander, a heritage conference and library talks featuring stories about stunning Sunshine Coast buildings.”

Sunshine Coast Open House

Helping the community to embrace good design

Sunshine Coast Council is proud to be one of the Founding Partners of Sunshine Coast Open House and a Principal Partner in this year’s program through its Arts + Heritage Levy and the Sunshine Coast Design campaign.

Sunshine Coast Design and the Cool Homes booklet promote the value of good design and how to design a home or place for this region that takes the climate and orientation into account.

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.

People wishing to see open properties, volunteer or learn more about Sunshine Coast Open House can visit www.sunshinecoastopenhouse.com.au.

Top things to do at Sunshine Coast Open House:

History of Clare Design on the Sunshine Coast and beyond
Date: 7 September, 2023
Time: 6pm
Location: University of the Sunshine Coast
Cost: $15
Register: sunshinecoastopenhouse.com.au

Open House Designs
Be inspired by local architecture
Date: various dates from 2-15 September
Time: 10-11.30am
Location: various Library locations across the Sunshine Coast
Register: sunshinecoastopenhouse.com.au

‘Paint and Sip’ with Queenslander Architecture heritage talk
Date: Tuesday 3 October, 2023
Time: 12-3pm
Location: Bankfoot House, Glass House Mountains
Cost: $50 all materials, food and drink included
Register: sunshinecoastopenhouse.com.au

Sunshine Coast and Noosa, what heritage?
Date: Wednesday, 11October, 2023
Time: 4.30 – 7.30pm
Location: The J Noosa, Noosa Heads
Cost: $12
Register: sunshinecoastopenhouse.com.au

Architect for a Day
Thinking of studying Architecture? High school students thinking about studying architecture and design have an opportunity to learn more about the profession at a special workshop.
Date: 14 October, 2023
Time: 10am-1pm
Location: Baringa Community Centre
Cost: Free
Bookings essential via: sunshinecoastopenhouse.com.au