Gold Coast Open House (GCOH)
What is Gold Coast Open House?
Gold Coast Open House Architecture Festival is a not-for-profit Incorporated Association run by a volunteer committee of dedicated architects, built environment professionals and Gold Coast citizens
Our Vision
To increase engagement between design professionals, residents and visitors through the promotion of both the contemporary and historical architectural and design attractions of the city.
To promote public awareness of the diverse range of professions who contribute and collaborate in creating and protecting Gold Coast’s architectural and design attractions.
To be a not-for-profit organisation, separate from political ties and professional institutions, established to organise the Open House event. The organisation must be part of or involved within architecture or the built environment sector.
To provide free entry to all buildings taking part in the Open House and no mandatory charge to be made to building owners to participate.
Our Mission
To maintain the core values of Open House Worldwide of;
Experience
Facilitating opportunities for a city’s inhabitants to experience architecture to demonstrate that well-designed cities can improve people’s lives. Offering the opportunity to experience high quality design across ages, styles, and typology, enables understanding of the value good design in its broadest sense. Initiating direct experience of the city, rather than mediated experience, is critical. Offering free entry to all events enables as wide an audience as possible to participate regardless of age, gender, socio-economic level, level of education, or architectural expertise.
Dialogue
These direct experiences generate potential for people to engage in dialogue about the value of architecture and share their knowledge.
Creating an accessible and independent platform bridges the gap between experts and users.
It gives permission for everyone (including government, private organisations, professional institutions, and the public) to exchange views, comment and engage in the discussion, a true dialogue.
Empowerment
Offering experiences and encouraging dialogue about architecture and urban design creates awareness that the public has a stake in the design, development and care of its city.
The city is a ‘shared’ space that is co-created and the city’s inhabitants have the power to change the city development.
Advocacy
Fostering understanding about the value of a well-designed city and the role of its inhabitants in its creation encourages them to advocate for a well-designed built environment.
This includes how architecture addresses environmental, social and economic sustainability, and how ‘people-centred’ design can optimise the health and wellbeing of building occupants.
