Have you or a family member ever had a fall because your home or its surroundings were not suitable or safe?

Do you or someone in your family have mobility or accessibility challenges at home?

Have you ever thought about moving because your current home no longer suits your age, abilities or changing needs?

If you had to leave your home, would you worry about leaving behind the memories, friendships and connections you have built there?

What if your home could be designed to adapt with you — allowing you to stay safely, independently and connected to your community for longer?

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Sunshine Coast Open House Forum on Friday 16 th October. This thought provoking community forum explored the theme of sustainable, inclusive design and how we can reimagine accessibility to create a community designed for everyone.

The evening featured a panel of experienced speakers from across industry, lived experience, advocacy and design exploring what true inclusion looks like in the built environment, why accessibility matters to all generations, and how thoughtful design can help people remain independent, connected and active within their communities.

This was more than a forum about buildings. It was a conversation about belonging, dignity, independence and the future of our community.  

Presented as part of Sunshine Coast Open House 2026, this special community forum celebrates the festival's 2026 theme of Sustainable Inclusive Design. Whether you are a design professional, community leader, student or simply passionate about the future of the Sunshine Coast, this was an opportunity to engage in an important conversation about creating places where everyone belongs.

Speakers:

  • Christopher Kerrisk, Co-founder, Cerge
  • Tina Kordrostami, architectural designer, policy advocate, and elected Councillor for the City of Ryde
  • John Mainwaring, LFRAIA, Hon PhD UniSC, B Arch (UQ), Director, HMArchitecture
  • Omar Suleiman, Founder and director of Lifestyle Supports
  • Dr Melissa Innes, Lecturer in Management & Human Resource Management, as moderator and MC.