Buildings on show

The Coast’s annual event to unlock the region’s most historic and architecturally significant buildings has launched.

Youi HQ is featured in this year's Sunshine Coast Open House. Photo: Angus Martin

THE Sunshine Coast’s annual event to unlock the region’s most historic and architecturally significant buildings has launched today.

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

The Caloundra lighthouses are featured in this year's Sunshine Coast Open House. Photo: Tracey Axelsen

Visitors will enjoy discovering long-kept secrets behind some of the region’s most intriguing buildings such as the hinterland’s Bankfoot House and Fairview (Pattemore House), Caloundra’s lighthouses, mid-century Wilson Beach House, Gabriel Poole’s Lake Weyba House and Quadropod House, and Youi HQ and USC Stadium, thanks to a number of renowned Sunshine Coast architects and informed volunteers holding special guided tours.

Pioneer Cottage, Buderim, is featured in this year’s Sunshine Coast Open House. Photo: Barry Alsop

Sunshine Coast Open House committee chairman and Australian Institute of Architects Queensland chapter councillor 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.

“We are thrilled to be including 13 new buildings in the 2019 program, which is expanding to a full weekend for the first time. The program showcases the region’s heritage, public spaces, green star projects, beach houses and places seldom seen within the rich tapestry of the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Just said.

“There is the chance to see backstage and behind the scenes of familiar places, the opportunity to see grand and small, views and workplaces, and many beautiful spaces not often shared with the wider populace.”

The Majestic Theatre, Pomona is featured in this year's Sunshine Coast Open House. Photo: Cape Tiene Photography

Sunshine Coast Deputy Mayor Tim Dwyer said Open House provided the opportunity to see some of the most inspiring and interesting attributes of the buildings in our region.

“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 our Heritage Levy,” Cr Dwyer said.

“It’s a fantastic way for the community to see and consider how architecture and design have contributed to the healthy, smart, creative region we know today.

“The range of heritage buildings on the program this year are a great demonstration of the vibrant architectural design and consideration of our natural environment that went into the development of some of our buildings in decades gone by.”

Sunshine Coast Open House will be held from October 19-20.

For more information visit sunshinecoastopenhouse.com.au.

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Rainforest Discovery Centre is featured in this year's Sunshine Coast Open House. Photo: Contributed

2019 Sunshine Coast Open House Building List

Hinterland

• Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct
• Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Discovery Centre
• Fairview (Pattemore House)

Caloundra

• Caloundra Regional Gallery
• The Events Centre Caloundra
• Caloundra Lighthouses
• Wilson Beach House (Dicky Beach House) (booking required)

Sippy Downs

• USC Stadium
• Youi HQ (booking required)

Alexandra Headland / Maroochydore / Buderim

• Montessori International College (booking required)
• Two treehouse (booking required)
• Buderim Old Post Office
• Pioneer Cottage Buderim
• Alexandra Headland House (booking required)
• ABC Sunshine Coast
• Mike Ahern Building

Mudjimba / Coolum

• Mudjimba House (booking required)
• Richard Henry House (booking required)
• LuWow Lodge (booking required)

Nambour

• The Old Ambulance Station

Peregian / Noosa / Cooroy

• St Andrew’s Anglican College Learning Centre
• Lake Weyba House (booking required)
• Bark Studio
• Noosa Hinterland House (booking required)
• Quadropod House (booking required)
• Little Cove House (booking required)
• Butter Factory Arts Centre

Pomona

• The Majestic Theatre
• Pomona Fire and Rescue Station
• Pomona Railway Station Gallery

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