Sunshine Coast Open House 2018 launch – let the secrets be revealed

The Sunshine Coast’s annual event to unlock the region’s most historic and architecturally interesting buildings, Sunshine Coast Open House, was officially launched at USC’s Art Gallery this week.

Governor of Queensland, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, officially launched the second annual Sunshine Coast Open House at the USC’s Art Gallery, ahead of Sunshine Coast Open House on Saturday 20 October.

Other special guests included Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson, Noosa Council Cr Ingrid Jackson, USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill and Sunshine Coast award-winning architect and Sunshine Coast Open House Ambassador John Mainwaring.

Sunshine Coast Open House is a free event which provides visitors with the rare opportunity to tour architecturally diverse, contemporary, sustainable and historic buildings from Caloundra, Maroochydore and Nambour to the Hinterland, Peregian, Noosa and Pomona.

Visitors will enjoy discovering long-kept secrets behind some of the region’s iconic buildings such as Gabriel Poole’s Lake Weyba House, Caloundra’s Lighthouses and Events Centre and one of the region’s oldest buildings Buderim Pioneer Cottage, thanks to a number of renowned Sunshine Coast architects and informed volunteers holding special guided tours.

Sunshine Coast Open House Committee Chair and Australian Institute of Architects Sunshine Coast Regional Chair Adrian Just said 30 hand-picked buildings were opening and offering guided and self-guided tours with the aim of encouraging the general public to explore, re-examine and engage with the region’s built environment – opening inquiring eyes and minds to good design and beautiful spaces.

“Locals and visitors will have a range of new and exciting buildings to visit and they can also rediscover their favourites from last year,” Mr Just said.

Mayor Jamieson said Sunshine Coast Open House was a great opportunity to view the region’s diverse and innovative sub-tropical architecture from a new perspective.

“This year’s free event, partly funded by council’s Heritage Levy, is sure to build on the wonderful success of last year’s inaugural Open House,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“Open House gives us the chance to learn more about our Sunshine Coast – our history and our future aspirations – and how architecture and design have contributed to the healthy, smart, creative region we know today.

“This year we will be able to enjoy a snapshot of the evolution of Sunshine Coast architecture with some buildings dating back to the late 1800s through to some award-winning cutting edge designs of recent years.

“The doors will be unlocked, come step inside.”

Sunshine Coast Open House is part of the Open House Worldwide family – a network of 30+ Open House cities globally – and is presented by Sunshine Coast Council, Noosa Council and the Australian Institute of Architects Sunshine Coast Regional Committee. It receives support from the Sunshine Coast Council Cultural Heritage Levy.

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

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