Leading architects reveal Brisbane’s best buildings

The city’s leading designers have nominated their favourite Brisbane buildings, with a classic structure featuring prominently. VOTE FOR THE BEST

Leading architects have revealed their favourite Brisbane buildings with two designers gushing over the State Library of Queensland.

Michael Rayner from firm Blight Rayner and Hassell Studios’ principal, Caroline Stalker, both nominated the South Brisbane public building as their top pick, praising the building’s ability to bring Queensland’s magnificent outdoors to the indoors.

Four leading architecture firms based in Brisbane also declared an iconic pub, art gallery and ’60s high-rise apartment block as favourites.

Here’s what they had to say - vote for your No.1 below.

BLIGHT RAYNER

Prominent designer Michael Rayner said the State Library was designed with flexibility to adapt from a place for books into a social setting following the transformation of the building.

“The architect in that building really opened it up to become a social heart of Brisbane, particularly for students, families and children,” he said.

The State Library of Queensland. Picture: Anthony Weate

“It was a pretty transformational project that took a very high quality but nevertheless stoic architecture and very effortlessly transformed that building into a place that’s much more loved.

“Awards aside, the public votes with their feet and they’ve really embraced that building.”

Mr Rayner also nominated apartment building Torbreck House in Highgate Hill, which he described as a classic of the ’60s.

After 60 years, the high-rise is still much-loved.

Torbreck House was Brisbane's first high-rise residential building.

“The first high-rise residential building in the state and it’s still the best because of the way it’s crafted,” he said.

“Sixty years later, it’s still really loved by its residents and it’s obvious why because it’s not cookie-cutter in its form.

“Most of the buildings would get knocked down by this point because they’re outdated — Torbreck is one of those that has just lasted and lasted and lasted and is still really sought-after.”

FULTON TROTTER ARCHITECTS

Fulton Trotter director Justine Ebzery declared the building just near the library, the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), was her favourite because it “feels like Queensland”.

“Combining the generous experience of glorious light-filled spaces that connect you to the places outside, with views out into the trees and river with enclosed world class exhibition spaces,” she said.

“I also love the enormous cantilevered roof overhang, reminiscent of a protective veranda or hat, and the thoughtful tiny details of the junctions between the glass, timber and concrete.”

GOMA in South Brisbane is a favourite of architect Justine Ebzery.

Ms Ebzery’s fellow director at Fulton Trotter, Paul Trotter, nominated the Breakfast Creek Hotel because of its French renaissance styling and uniquely Brisbane heritage.

The building also has a personal heritage to Mr Trotter, with his great great uncle, George Trotter, assisting with the design as chief architect.

“I love its resilience to floods and how the levels are recorded on the walls adjacent the private bar,” he said.

Sketch of the iconic Breaky Creek pub by leading architect Paul Trotter.

The pub has survived many floods over the years.

“I love the beer off the wood tradition and the classic Spanish Garden with its asbestos cement super six tiles and rendered brickwork.

“I love the steaks and miss the red and white checked table cloths and the uniforms that matched. The terrazzo in the dunnies and bars is brilliant, along with all that rich dark timber trim.

“It’s eccentric, gaudy, decorative, eclectic but there is only one Breaky Creek.”

HAYES ANDERSON LYNCH ARCHITECTS

Elizabeth Anderson, Hayes Anderson Lynch Architects director, drew on personal devotion in selecting the Old Museum of Brisbane.

“Architectural emotive connectivity is often associated with personal experience,” she said.

“In this case I have very fond personal memories as a child regularly visiting this Progressive Eclecticism styled building when it was used as a museum until 1987.

The Old Museum was built in 1888.

“The grandeur of the architectural scale and detailing filled me with great intrigue as a child — I love the eclecticism of the architecture, being described as anything from Romanesque, Victorian, Federation, Saracenic, and even Indian.

“Yet so much of the detailing contradicts each of these styles.”

Ms Anderson said the architect, George Henry Lame Addison, “broke all the rules” when designing the building which was completed in 1888.

“There was and still is much debate on the style and influences of this landmark masterpiece,” she said.

HASSELL STUDIOS

Caroline Stalker, principal at Hassell Studios, also nominated the State Library, which she said was a “fantastic people-oriented facility”.

“It used to be like this kind of big, inward looking box,” she said.

“It’s like they turned it inside out. It now looks very outward, it’s got all these great spaces that are open to the public — you can be there in so many different ways.”

Ms Stalker also declared the Riverside Green located at the Southbank Parklands as another of her favourite creations in Brisbane.

Ms Stalker said the space was perfect for Queensland.

While she admits the space was created by her firm, Hassell Studios, she was quick to declare the project was completed before she joined the team.

“It’s this quiet little gem,” the leading designer said.

“It’s got a hanging garden, it’s got barbecue areas and seating areas and public art.

“You look out over the river and this beautiful landscape and really it speaks to those subtropical qualities we love about Brisbane.”