Pictured left to right: Niara Fearnell, Christina Just and Dan Homewood at the Sunshine Coast Open House 2017 launch.
SOME of the most significant buildings on the Sunshine Coast and in Noosa will be opened to the public later this month to reveal the region’s unique architectural history.
The Sunshine Coast Open House 2017, which also ties in to the 50th anniversary celebrations of the naming of the Sunshine Coast, was launched recently.
On the actual day — October 21 — 30 buildings, from the 108-year-old Tanderra House in Flaxton through to the award-winning Sunshine Coast University library, will be opened for public examination, analysis, discussion and admiration.
Sunshine Coast Open House Committee Chairman Adrian Just said the initiative aimed to enrich understanding of the region’s built environment by encouraging the exploration of and engagement with a diverse mix of buildings.
“We all love the Sunshine Coast, but don’t always get the chance to explore its history and see inside some of our interesting buildings,” Mr Just said.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said the Open House event was an opportunity for the community “to experience the Sunshine Coast’s built environment”.
“This certainly a key opportunity to celebrate the region’s architecture and the coming of age in innovative private and public building and design,” he said.
“Throughout our anniversary, we’ve been celebrating our identity, engaging with our community and reflecting on our history.
“We’ve also been showcasing what we can look forward to in the years to come; the overwhelming feeling has been one of immense pride in where we’ve come from and great excitement and anticipation in where we’re heading.”
Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington said it was interesting to recognise the influence of the local weather on building design.
“Here on the Sunshine Coast we are blessed with almost perfect weather, notwithstanding that it’s been unseasonably hot lately, but this very liveable climate lends itself to architecture that embraces both indoor and outdoor living,” he said.
“The best contemporary architecture here pays respect to the environment in which it resides and this, of course, has led to a string of widely-recognised and award-winning architects and architectural firms all emanating from our little patch on the planet.”
By Richard Bruinsma
