2026 Program

CELEBRATING SUSTAINABLE INCLUSIVE DESIGN

From 16–25 October 2026, we invite you to explore an inspiring collection of buildings, gardens, landscapes and spaces across the region – all free of charge.

Now one of the Sunshine Coast’s most anticipated annual events, Sunshine Coast Open House opens the doors to remarkable architectural and design projects that might otherwise remain unseen, sparking community conversations about the role of design in everyday life.

This year’s theme – Sustainable Inclusive Design – celebrates the transformative power of architecture and design in shaping a more equitable, accessible and environmentally responsible future. Projects showcased will reflect innovation, compassion and a commitment to meaningful social impact, exploring how design can create spaces that embrace diversity, bridge architecture with social purpose, and advocate for environmental and social justice.

A Landmark 10th Year – New and Returning Buildings

The 2026 program features a rich mix of new and returning buildings spanning the length of the Sunshine Coast, from Caloundra to the Noosa Hinterland.

New to the program in 2026:

  • Permaculture Noosa Community Pavilion (Cooroy Community Gardens) – a community-built gathering space using traditional cob-building techniques, designed by Ecolibrium Designs.
  • Pomona House – a hinterland residence by Hive Architecture, shaped by passive design and a deep reading of its ridgeline setting.
  • 62 Tallowwood Place, Black Mountain – a series of contemporary pavilions by Matthew Noffke Architects, extending a 1990s home into its forested surrounds.
  • Bombala – winner of the Gabriel Poole Award for Building of the Year 2024 at the Sunshine Coast Architecture Awards, designed by Sealand Architects.

Returning favourites include:

Alfredson’s Joinery, Cooroy House, Landsborough Museum, Moon Mountain Garden, Kite House, Alsahwa Estate, Caloundra Lighthouse, Pãn Pottery Studio, Ewen Maddock Dam and Water Treatment Plant, Majestic Theatre Pomona, and SALTAIR Display Village.

This year the weekend is split geographically – Saturday 24 October focuses on the southern end of the Sunshine Coast, with Sunday 25 October covering the northern end.

Lead-Up Events

The 2026 program spans two weekends of events before the buildings weekend including:

  • Forum: Sustainable Inclusive Design – A Conversation – 16 October, Noosa Arts Theatre. Featuring Cr Tina Kordrostami, John Mainwaring and Chris Kerrisk and Omar Suliman and moderated by Dr Melissa Innes.
  • Ask a Designer – 17 October, Open Q&A with architects, interior designers and landscape architects.Sponsored by Inspirations Paints and hosted at their Currimundi showrooms.
  • Celebrating 30yrs of UniSC – 23 October, Sunshine nCoast University 
  • Caloundra Library + Town Centre – 24 October, 9am-12pm, with Ben Willis.

Additional events including an Urban Sketching sessions, Historic Town Centre Guided Tour, Moffat Beach Walking Tour, and a Landscape Walk at Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens, an on-line and face to face architectural photography workshop and much more

DOWNLOAD THE FULL PROGRAM

2026 buildings and events

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Sunshine Coast Open House acknowledges the traditional Country of the Kabi Kabi and the Jinibara Peoples of the coastal plains and hinterlands of the Sunshine Coast, and recognises that these have always been places of cultural, spiritual, social and economic significance. We wish to pay respect to their Elders – past, present and emerging, and acknowledge the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within the Sunshine Coast community.