Brisbane Boys' College Buildings facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brisbane Boys' College Buildings |
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Main Building, Brisbane Boys' College, 2014
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| Location | 55 Moggill Road, Toowong, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919–1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1930–1950 |
| Official name: Brisbane Boys College | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600337 |
| Significant period | 1930s (fabric) 1930s (historical) 1930s ongoing (social) |
| Significant components | stained glass window/s, tower, residential accommodation – headmaster's house, loggia/s, chapel, decorative features, school/school room |
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The Brisbane Boys' College Buildings are a group of historic school buildings in Toowong, Brisbane, Queensland. They are part of Brisbane Boys' College, a well-known private school. These buildings were constructed between 1930 and 1950. Because of their importance, they were added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means they are protected for future generations.
Contents
The Story of Brisbane Boys' College
The school first opened in 1902. It was called Rudd's College and was located in Clayfield. A.W. Rudd was its founder. In 1918, a group called the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association took over the school. They changed its name to Brisbane Boys' College.
Building the Main School in Toowong
The main school building is a large three-storey structure. It was built in 1930 in Toowong. The land for the school was given by the daughters of Sir Robert Philp. The new school opened its doors in 1931. At first, the main building held all the classrooms and boarding areas.
The architects who designed this building were Atkinson and Conrad. They also designed other famous schools. These include The Southport School and the Church of England Grammar School.
Changes Over Time
By 1950, another floor was added to the main tower. The verandahs, which are open walkways, were closed off. This created more space inside the building. However, in 1989, these verandahs were opened up again.
The headmaster's house was built in 1936. It was also designed by Atkinson & Conrad. The school has continued to grow a lot since then. Today, it has many buildings and teaches over 1000 students.
What the Buildings Look Like
The main building sits on a hillside. It is a three-storey building made of rendered masonry. This means it's built from strong materials with a smooth finish. It is designed in the Spanish Mission Style. This style often features curved shapes and decorative details.
Key Features of the Main Building
The building has classroom wings on each side. These wings have terracotta tiled roofs that slope downwards. In the middle, there is a main entrance, a tall tower, and a bell tower, called a campanile. The building has strong concrete floors. It also has timber doors and steel windows on the upper floors. Red brick sills are found under the windows. The outside and inside have many rich decorative features.
When you look from Moggill Road, the main building stands out. It rises above the trees and other buildings. From inside the school, it looks very grand. The bell tower is especially easy to see. Other school buildings nearby are kept lower. This helps keep the views to and from the main building clear.
The Entrances and Frontages
The main entrance is on the northern side. This part of the building has two storeys and five sections, called bays. The middle section has a pointed roof, called a gable. This is where the main entrance door is. The doorway is arched and has a decorated frame. The two sections next to the middle one have arched walkways, or arcades, with verandahs above. The two outer sections have pairs of arched windows and tiled awnings.
The southern side of the building faces the hillside. This side has three storeys and also five sections. The central section holds the chapel. It sticks out from the building and has a sloped roof. The tower behind it rises two more storeys. It has a pointed roof. The flat-roofed bell tower rises even higher. It has an entrance at its base with a small round balcony above it. The chapel has large arched windows. Smaller arched windows are above them. The sections next to the chapel and bell tower have arched walkways up to the second storey.
Decorative Details and Interior
The building has many interesting decorations. These include gargoyles, which are decorative water spouts. There are also twisted columns between arched windows and at the main doorways. Arched decorative borders, called cornices, are found on the gables, tower, and bell tower. A three-storey annex, or extra part, extends to the north-east. It has a sloped roof, rectangular windows, and a timber porch.
Inside the main building, you can see timber panelling. There are also two beautiful stained glass windows in the main entrance area. One window shows the arts, and the other shows the sciences. The chapel also has a stained glass window on its southern side.
The Headmaster's Residence
The headmaster's house is built with materials that match the main building. It has an interesting shape with three gables on the north side. Two of these gables are lined with timber. A smaller gable is over the entrance. The house is located on a raised area north of the main building.
Why These Buildings Are Important
The Brisbane Boys' College Buildings were listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means they are considered very important for several reasons.
Showing Queensland's History
The college buildings show how education for boys developed in Queensland. They are linked to the work of the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches since 1918.
A Great Example of School Design
The main building is a fantastic example of a large school building from the 1930s. It shows the main features of the Spanish Mission style. The Headmaster's Residence is also a good example of a house from that time, built with a smooth, rendered finish.
Beautiful Design and Landmark Status
The buildings are important because they are very beautiful. The main building's design is very well done. It combines different shapes and details in a skillful way. It is also a well-known landmark in the local area.
Important to the Community
The college has a special meaning for many people. It has been the school for thousands of boys from Protestant families in Queensland. This gives it a strong social importance.
Work of Important Architects
The main building and the headmaster's residence are important examples of the work of Brisbane architects Atkinson and Conrad. They designed several large private school buildings in Queensland during the 1920s and 1930s.
