A 10-day festival is set to celebrate a decade of architecture, design and community on the Coast.
Sunshine Coast Open House (SCOH) returns from October 16 to 25, delivering access to some of the region’s most inspiring and rarely seen private homes, public buildings, gardens and community spaces, while exploring this year’s theme of ‘Sustainable Inclusive Design’.
SCOH co-chair Magdy Youssef said the 2026 program marked an important milestone for both the organisation and the region.
“This year’s program is particularly significant as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Sunshine Coast Open House, the 30th anniversary of the University of the Sunshine Coast and the 25th anniversary of the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden,” Mr Youssef said.
“Over the past decade, Sunshine Coast Open House has grown from a local initiative into part of a global movement that now spans more than 60 cities worldwide, giving communities unique opportunities to better understand the buildings, places and spaces that shape their lives.”
Among the buildings opening to the public for the first time are: the Permaculture Noosa Community Pavilion at Cooroy Community Gardens; Pomona House by Hive Architecture; 62 Tallowwood Place by Matthew Noffke Architects; Bombala by Sealand Architects, winner of the 2024 Gabriel Poole Award for Building of the Year; the brand new Avani Mooloolaba; and Sunshine Coast Grammar School’s expansive Forest Glen campus.
Returning favourites include: Alfredson’s Joinery, Cooroy House, Landsborough Museum, Moon Mountain Garden, Kite House, Alsahwa Estate, Pomona Railway Gallery, Caloundra Lighthouse, Pan Pottery Studio, Ewen Maddock Dam and Water Treatment Plant, Majestic Theatre Pomona and SALTAIR Display Village.
Joint patron of SCOH, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, will officially launch the 2026 festival on August 28 at the Sunshine Coast Aero Club.
A particular focus of this year’s program is the celebration of public art, gardens and cultural spaces, recognising their role in enriching lives, strengthening community identity and creating a lasting legacy for future generations.
Multi-award-winning local architect and SCOH ambassador Noel Robinson said the event had become an important celebration of the region’s architectural identity.
“At the event’s heart is a commitment to excellence in design, that responds to climate, connects to country and reflects the distinct character of our beach-to-bush landscape,” Mr Robinson said.
“Sunshine Coast Open House also highlights the enduring legacy of the Sunshine Coast School of Architecture and the many contributors who have helped shape our built environment.
“It reminds us that thoughtful design can strengthen community, enhance wellbeing and enrich everyday life.
“I encourage people to explore this year’s program, learn something new and be inspired by the creativity and care that define our region.”
Beyond the building tours, the program includes forums, exhibitions, walking tours and community events exploring architecture, sustainability, heritage and landscape design.
Highlights include: the Sustainable Inclusive Design Forum at The Noosa Arts Theatre (October 16); Ask a Designer sessions; a special presentation and tour to celebrate 30 years of UniSC; architectural photographic workshops; guided walking tours and a range of community-led experiences.
The popular Sunshine Coast Open House Photography Competition will also return in 2026, inviting amateur photographers to capture the buildings, landscapes and people that bring the event to life across five competition categories.
Since its inaugural event in 2017, SCOH has welcomed thousands of visitors and opened the doors to more than 250 buildings across the Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions.
Originally established to showcase the architectural evolution of the Sunshine Coast’s iconic coastline, the program has grown to celebrate design, heritage, landscape and community across the region.
SCOH co-chair Ron Scott said the event was about far more than architecture.
“Architecture, heritage buildings and public spaces are repositories of our region’s history and identity,” Mr Scott said.
“Open House is about opening minds and hearts to the stories these places hold.
“By providing access to buildings and spaces that are not usually open to the public, we help people connect with the history, character and cultural legacy of the Sunshine Coast.”
The buildings weekend for the southern Sunshine Coast is October 24 and for the northern Sunshine Coast it’s October 25. All buildings are free to visit.
