Gold Coast Open House is a free public festival that celebrates the Gold Coast’s architecture and offers behind-the-scenes access to buildings across the city.
Gold Coast Open House is a free annual event that takes visitors behind the scenes of architecturally significant buildings and spaces. Our mission is to engage visitors in dialogue about the value of architecture in our city and generously share this knowledge by making these places accessible to all.
In previous years, thousands of people have participated in Gold Coast Open House, visiting as many locations across the Gold Coast as they could squeeze into a day. This year, however, we’re doing things a little differently! Some major adjustments have been made to the program to ensure the health and safety of our volunteers, home owners and members of the public during these challenging times. Whilst we won’t be able to open physical doors for you at Gold Coast Open House 2020, we’re offering you a virtual key to the city instead.
Gold Coast Open House 2020 will be delivered via a series of on-line armchair tours presented by talented local architects and tour guides, live-stream events on social media, student video perspectives and the Focus on Architecture photography competition.
The program is accessible to everyone, anywhere, and it’s free to participate. Gold Coast Open House goes live on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October. In 2020 we hope you enjoy navigating our new website!
The committee extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to our loyal and generous sponsors and founding partners. Without their continued support, our not-for-profit organisation would not exist.
News & What’s On in 2020
A MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR
We are grateful for this message of support from the Governor of Queensland, His Excellency the Honorable Paul de Jersey AC
“As COVID-19 continues its silent and invisible advance around the world, Kaye and I have been increasingly concerned about its impact on the activities and events which are such a vital part of everyday life for us all here in Queensland.
We need not have been concerned about Gold Coast Open House.
While this annual celebration cannot go ahead as originally planned, a global audience will be able to come to the Gold Coast via the upgraded Open House website. Kaye and I look forward to seeing the results of photo competitions, hearing student perspectives, and participating in architect-led armchair tours of houses and live-streamed tours.
In just six years, Open House has become a much-anticipated celebration of the rich and varied architectural history of the Gold Coast, and I commend the management team on their decision to change the scope and direction of the planned program rather than cancel it.
The original event required complex logistical planning to coordinate dozens of venues, hundreds of community volunteers, and thousands of residents and visitors.
Changing this into a virtual experience has been tantamount to turning around an ocean liner and has required a great deal of effort and imagination from the organising team as well as continued belief and commitment from the supporters and founding partners.
On behalf of all Queenslanders, I congratulate and thank them for this and wish them well as they begin planning for Open House 2021.”
Mayor Tom Tate’s Support
We extend our thanks to City of Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate who has recorded this message of support for Gold Coast Open House
Get the latest news & event information
