The program for this year’s Sunshine Coast Open House (SCOH) event has been revealed, with the festival set to take place between 16–25 October. Celebrating a decade milestone since its inaugural event in 2017, the festival offers visitors a glimpse into the Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions’ best buildings, showing how design can transform the way people live.
This year’s program offers visitors the chance to visit a diverse range of public and private spaces united under the theme “sustainable inclusive design”. The buildings open to the public include energy-efficient homes, gardens and community-built gathering spaces, and award-winning architectural projects.
Among the buildings on show for the first time are the 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 by Cottee Parker Architects; and Sunshine Coast Grammar School’s expansive Forest Glen campus by Deicke Richards.
Several projects from past years are also returning to the 2026 lineup, including Cooroy House by Henry Bennett and Dan Wilson; Moon Mountain Garden by AJC Architects; Kite House by Scott Barleet Architects; and Pãn Pottery Studio by Angus and Bridget McDiarmid.
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,” he 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.”
In addition to 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, “ask a designer” sessions, a special presentation and tour to celebrate 30 years of the University of the Sunshine Coast, architectural photographic workshops, guided walking tours, and a range of community-led experiences.
The 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.
Local architect and SCOH ambassador Noel Robinson said, “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.”
“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,” he added.
“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.”
The full 2026 Sunshine Coast Open House festival program will be officially announced on 28 August.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
