Our city’s best buildings
Top architect selects her favourite structures
THE architecture of Toowoomba has played a large role in forming the city’s identity, but what are the buildings that best exemplify that?
The Chronicle threw down the challenge to veteran Toowoomba heritage advisor and architect Stephanie Keays to pick her five favourite buildings.
Here is her list in no particular order:
1. TOOWOOMBA CITY HALL
This is my favourite on so many levels.
The exuberant Victorian era eclecticism of the facade within a strict symmetry just has a wonderful aesthetic appeal.
Designed by Queensland architect Willoughby Powell in response to a design competition in 1898, he named his entry “Sincerity” perfectly reflected in its solid, grounded classical design features.
2. EMPIRE THEATRE
Toowoomba has a fire in the 1930s to thank for this Art Deco gem.
This building represents all the glamour of the early picture palaces and the power of Hollywood to allow patrons an escape from the realities of life in the depression era.
3. ST JAMES PARISH HALL
One of architect Harry Marks’ typically exuberant buildings featuring so many of his patented designs, such as the extendible casement windows and “hollow wall” stucco style wall construction.
4. RUSSELL ST MEN’S TOILETS
Quirky, unique and a symbol of Toowoomba’s transformation from a typhoid infested swamp into the modern city we enjoy today, led by early health pioneer Dr Price.
Sadly the original rockery, possibly one of Toowoomba’s first deliberate pieces of urban design, no longer exists around the building.
5. FLEXI SCHOOL
A little gem on an awkward site, it was designed by local architect Colin Davidson as flexible learning and community spaces within the school. It takes advantage of the outlook over the creek and triangular shape of the block to create the feel of a garden pavilion.