Renowned Brisbane architects have their say on city’s best and worst buildings
Some of Brisbane’s most renowned architects, builders and developers have given their verdict on the city’s best and worst buildings.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
From the humble old Queenslander to shining skyscrapers, Brisbane has a lot of architectural hits and misses.
We’ve asked five of Brisbane’s best known and respected architects and developers their favourite and least favourite structures, both in Brisbane and from around the world.
They’ve got quite a selection to choose from, even if the much-maligned Brisbane Transit Centre has been knocked down.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE AND LEAST FAVOURITE BRISBANE BUILDINGS? SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS BELOW
Dr Rosemary Kennedy - Subtropical Cities
FAVOURITE: “There’s a building that divides public opinion that is a really good example of a liveable building.”
“Torbreck” (on Dornoch Terrace, Highgate Hill).”
“The original and the best.”
Dr Kennedy says the heritage listed tower wins her vote because it was Brisbane’s first skyscrapers, constructed in 1960, yet has been built with Brisbane’s subtropical need for cross-ventilation.
She outlines that the tower’s apartments have louvres.
In effect, she says the building is one gigantic, multistorey Queenslander.
LEAST FAVOURITE: “South Bank Station.”
More specifically, she says, platform one of South Bank train station.
“It has not benefited one bit from the redevelopment of the site,” Dr Kennedy says.
“There are three buildings there, all black, all facing away from the station.”
“It hasn’t benefited from it, it’s in fact made it worse.”
Take a visit and it’s easy to see why – shade on the platform is offered by temporary tents, most of which have been stripped bare.
Kevin Park – architect, Wilson Architects
FAVOURITE: Mr Park nominates two – D House and the TRI Building at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
LEAST FAVOURITE: Market Square in Sunnybank.
When asked why it ranks as Mr Park’s most disliked building in Brisbane, he gives a frank assessment.
“Destroys the character of the area.”
Take a look for yourself.
Annie Yen – architect, Wilson Architects
FAVOURITE: Ms Yen nominates the Karoomba Chapel, south of Ipswich, as her favourite because it “is an ideal example of how architecture can evoke a sense of emotion, how design can improve wellbeing and of how considered architecture and landscape design is critical to improving social and community outcomes.”
“The project is also built on a small and limited budget which proves that good design does not need to be expensive,” she says.
LEAST FAVOURITE: With its second vote in the least favourite category, Market Square isn’t exactly winning awards.
Ms Yen gives a scorching assessment of the building’s failings, and she doesn’t even touch on the colour choice.
“It is an example of how detrimental poor design is,” she says.
“For the same time and money, the project could have addressed the street and the internal shops, provided the Square a sense of identity and space for the community.”
“Instead, it has done as little as it possibly could and just plonked a building over a carpark.”
“Wayfinding internally and around is terrible and the users experience is not considered at all.”
Ouch.
Scott Hutchinson – chairman, Hutchinson Builders
FAVOURITE: “I love the Triffid,” construction giant Hutchinson’s chairman says.
“Because it’s a fantastic place to go with a brilliant beer garden and acoustics that are second to none.”
Mr Hutchinson also nominates the Gold Tower in Brisbane’s CBD for an honourable mention.
LEAST FAVOURITE: Mr Hutchinson nominates a pretty obvious contender.
“The worst is Boondall of course, for everything,” he says, referring to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
“It needs to be demolished now and I’ll do it starting Monday.”
His dreams may come true, with plans for a new venue above Roma Street Station already firming up.
FAVOURITE OVERSEAS: “One building I like is the Gherkin in London or the museum in Bilbao in Spain,” Mr Hutchinson says.
LEAST FAVOURITE OVERSEAS: “Anything in LA. What an architectural nightmare it is.”
Brook Monahan – chief executive, Mosaic Property
FAVOURITE: The founder of one of southeast Queensland’s biggest developers nominates the Gallery of Modern Art by Clare Design as his favourite.
And it’s easy to see why. GOMA’s striking outside facade is one of the prettiest and most eye-catching buildings, especially at night, when it’s lit up in colours.
LEAST FAVOURITE: The Clem7 ventilation outlet in Woolloongabba, Mr Monahan says, is striking for all the wrong reasons.
FAVOURITE OVERSEAS: Falling Water by Frank Lloyd Wright, in the US state of Pennsylvania.
LEAST FAVOURITE: The Experience Music Project in Seattle.
Peter Smith – retired architect
FAVOURITE: For retired architect Peter Smith, “Brisbane’s only a little town.”
“But there are a few buildings which in my view are … competent on the world stage,” Mr Smith says.
“And I think that’s Lang Park at probably Number One.”
“And the Convention Centre.”
“Those buildings are absolutely competent.”
LEAST FAVOURITE: Mr Smith nominates the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
“Probably the worst is Boondall,” Mr Smith says.
“That’s a fault of town planning as well,” he says.
“It’s a very average building in the wrong spot.”
But Mr Smith says the River City, by and large, doesn’t stand out all too much.
“A lot of Brisbane buildings are pretty rubbish, because there isn’t much money around.”
FAVOURITE OVERSEAS:
Mr Smith’s entry isn’t really a building, but he nominates Japanese traditional gardens, because: “I find to be incredible in terms of design.”
LEAST FAVOURITE OVERSEAS:
“I must admit I don’t find any building in England any good.”
‘She was raped, I was conceived’: Layne Beachley’s secret torment
For surf legend Layne Beachley, becoming the best in the world became an unhealthy obsession as she wrestled with dark secrets from her past.
Teen fighting for life after horror rollover, Moggill Rd closed
A teen is fighting for life, while a woman has suffered a serious injury after a multi-vehicle crash involving a rollover in a south-western suburb of Brisbane.