The Queensland Cultural Centre consists of iconic buildings that symbolize late 20th-century International Style architecture in the heart of Queensland, Australia. This landmark complex consists of many cultural institutions which include the Queensland Art Gallery (QAG), Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Queensland Museum (QM), and The Edge. Designed by architect Robin Gibson, these buildings feature simple terraced concrete forms with seamless integration with the natural landscape by creating plazas and walkways, creating a coherent architectural form. Queensland Cultural Centre has been listed as a heritage building by Docomomo since 2015, as a prominent modernist building and a place for cultural exchange for the local community and broader international scene.
Historical Heritage and Global Significance
The Queensland Cultural Centre was built in four stages from 1977 to 1988. The original buildings have paved the way for making the cultural precinct area central to the experience and memory of Brisbane. The Queensland Cultural Centre was first developed as a result of a competition back in 1972. After two stages of competition amongst 10 well-respected architecture firms based in Brisbane, Robin Gibson and Partners won with a design exhibiting “great clarity and simplicity of concept [that] relates admirably to the environment and the site”(The Australian, 1973). The style of architecture throughout the four signature buildings (QAG, QPAC, QM, and The Edge) is characterized by repetitive cubic forms rendered in monolithic, high-quality concrete with a lightly sandblasted finish. It celebrates the primary concrete structure with a pure geometric form of concrete and glass. Elegant, minimalist details also include bronze, stone, and timber detailing. The structures also achieve horizontal stepped, shaded facades with recessed glazing and landscape planters, in response to the tropical climate of Queensland. As the four facilities were designed by the same architect, the complex has a cohesive design language that gives identity to this landmark.
The cultural centre was developed at a prime location overlooking the Brisbane River. The construction of the 4 cultural buildings, starting with the Queensland Art Gallery, was a catalyst for other major developments along the south bank. This includes the State Library of Queensland and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), growing into what is now known as the Queensland Cultural Precinct district. Now that the Queensland Museum also includes a Science Centre, this cultural precinct has the unique advantage of maintaining a high-quality collection of arts, science, and culture all in one place. These public assets are landmarks for its local citizens and offer international visitors a stage to view all that the city has to offer. South Brisbane has therefore developed into a cultural attraction and is an important contributor to the cultural identity of Queensland.
At first glance, the four signature buildings appear brutalist in nature. One reporter sharply remarks the buildings as a “collection of bland concrete boxes” (Caldwell, 2017). Nevertheless, the Queensland Cultural Centre generally received positive support soon after construction and was awarded heritage status from Docomomo to preserve the complex from redevelopment plans. An extensive conservation management plan was developed soon after in 2017. Docomomo commends the project’s aesthetic significance for its “distinctive, architectural qualities, monumental scale, prominent siting and its many public art installations” (Docomomo Australia, 2021).
The site is also a historical heritage for many historical incidents. Most notably, Queen Elizabeth II visited the buildings when she was in Brisbane in 1977 as a part of her grand Silver Jubilee tour. In commemoration of her 25 years of service, the Silver Jubilee Fountain was installed in Brisbane River adjacent to the site. The World Expo in 1988 also took place adjacent to the Queensland Cultural Centre. Expo 88 was such a successful event that it raised public expectations for South Bank to become a cultural and social destination. Half of the Expo 88 site was retained as a theme park, while another half developed into the South Bank Parklands. These global events and the ability of these museums to provide world-quality art programs have helped shed Brisbane of its original big county town image.
Significant Art and Landscape Features
The museums Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) combined own an art collection with over 20,000 artworks. The museums plan to exhibit their flagship event, The 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, from November 2024 to April 2025, hoping to draw attendees from around the world to visit. The event features artists from Asia and the Pacific, with a focus on First Nations artwork, making minority and displaced cultures a crucial aspect of the Triennial.
Queensland Cultural Centre and associated cultural art institutions on the premises are also committed to acknowledging the site’s significance to Indigenous communities in various ways. They celebrate First Nations cultures through dedicated exhibitions and events. An outdoor public space between GOMA and the State Library was attributed with the name “Maiwar Green”, symbolizing the traditional use of the area by local Aboriginal people. It recognizes the site as Aboriginal heritage and restores the strong spiritual connection they had between land and river.
Landscape design is also a major aspect of the Queensland Cultural Centre. In the original architectural design, Robin Gibson planned for open public spaces such as the Art Gallery Plaza, which provides direct pedestrian access from Victoria Bridge and the Queensland Art Gallery. A Water Mall is also incorporated next to QPAC with a water feature running parallel to the river. These external public spaces are directly connected to interior spaces while providing a connection to the waterfront and views of the central business district and surrounding South Brisbane area.
Future Improvements
In April 2014, the Queensland government, headed by artsQueensland devised an ambitious 20-year redevelopment master plan of the Queensland Cultural Precinct. Although the masterplan included required much-needed expansion of the cultural buildings, there was much pushback by the community and the late wife of the architect. The master plan included a proposal for two towers over the Performing Arts and Queensland Museum portion, potentially disrupting the integrity of the original design. Once the Queensland Cultural Centre gained heritage building status in June 2015, it became protected under the Conservation Management Plan. The original 2014 master planning efforts have therefore been put on hold.
In the meantime, there have been separate efforts to expand the existing Queensland Performing Arts Centre as it needs additional foyer space, a new auditorium, and additional studio spaces. The expansion was announced in May 2019, with the design headed by Blight Rayner + Snøhetta. The design respects the heritage-listed Queensland Cultural Centre while marking its own identity with a unique, ripple glass façade. The addition of a fifth theatre will make it the largest performing arts centre in Australia. Construction began in April 2020, with the completion date of the building to be determined.
Image 6_Concept design of the newly designed Queensland Performing Arts expansion, with contemporary undulating glass facade_© artsQueensland, design by Blight Rayner + Snøhetta
Given the nature of the prestigious historical significance of the Queensland Culture Centre, especially after the creation of the Conservation Management Plan, any future development on the premises must respect Robin Gibson’s original modern architectural style. Future improvements to the facilities or landscape elements within the heritage boundary are open to scrutinization under the Queensland Heritage Act, government agency artsQueensland, and the opinion of the general public. The Facebook group “Queensland Cultural Centre Campaign” was also created to maintain awareness of Robin Gibson’s Queensland Cultural Centre design and acknowledges it as one of his greatest architectural achievements. There is no doubt that the future development of this cultural precinct will require a careful balance of respecting historical heritage while allowing for needed future development.
References:
Caldwell, Felicity. “Queensland Cultural Centre Gets Conservation Management Plan to Protect Heritage.” Brisbane Times, 29 June 2017, www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/queensland-cultural-centre-gets-conservation-management-plan-to-protect-heritage-20170629-gx183i.html. Accessed 9 Feb. 2024.
“Conservation Management Plan.” Arts Queensland, June 2017, www.arts.qld.gov.au/conservation-management-plan.
Gargett, Conrad. “QUEENSLAND CULTURAL CENTRE Conservation Management Plan.” June 2017.
“Queensland Cultural Centre – Docomomo Australia.” Docomomoaustralia.com.au, 30 Dec. 2021, docomomoaustralia.com.au/queensland-cultural-centre/. Accessed 9 Feb. 2024.
“R. Godfrey Rivers – Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art.” Web.archive.org, 30 Sept. 2011, web.archive.org/web/20110930062401/qag.qld.gov.au/collection/queensland_heritage/r._godfrey_rivers. Accessed 9 Feb. 2024.
Rebgetz, Louisa. “Decision on Heritage Listing for Cultural Precinct Imminent.” ABC News, 17 Apr. 2015, www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-18/decision-on-heritage-listing-for-cultural-precinct-qpac-imminent/6402156. Accessed 9 Feb. 2024.
Smith, Andrew, and Judith Mair. “How the World Expo ’88 Changed Brisbane.” Bel.uq.edu.au, 29 Apr. 2018, bel.uq.edu.au/article/2018/04/how-world-expo-88-changed-brisbane. Accessed 9 Feb. 2024.
The Australian, 17 April 1973.
van Vonderen, Jessica , and Kym Agius. “Heritage Listing Push for Brisbane’s South Bank Cultural Precinct.” ABC News, 16 Sept. 2014, www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-16/heritage-listing-push-for-brisbanes-south-bank-cultural-precinct/5746318. Accessed 9 Feb. 2024.
