Main Roads Building facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Main Roads Building
Main Roads Building, 2014
Location	477 Boundary Street, Spring Hill, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Design period	1940s - 1960s (post-World War II)
Built	1967
Built for	Queensland Government
Architect	Karl Langer
Architectural style(s)	Modernism
Queensland Heritage Register
Official name: Department of Main Roads Building (former)
Type	state heritage
Designated	13 June 2014
Reference no.	602830
Builders	Cyril Porter Hornick
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The Main Roads Building is a special office building in Spring Hill, Brisbane, Queensland. It was designed by a famous architect named Dr Karl Langer. The building was finished in 1967 and was home to the Queensland Main Roads Department until 2012. It is now listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because of its important history and unique design.

Why Was the Main Roads Building Needed?

The Main Roads Department (MRD) was in charge of building and looking after Queensland's roads. In the early 1960s, there were many more cars on the road. The department needed a bigger, more modern office to help manage all the new road projects. This new building would bring all their scattered offices together.

How Queensland's Roads Grew

For a long time, trains were the main way to travel long distances in Queensland. Roads were not as important. Local councils usually paid for their own roads. This meant roads were built bit by bit, not as a big network.

The Rise of Cars and New Road Laws

After 1920, more and more people started buying cars. This meant better roads were needed. The Queensland Main Roads Act of 1920 created the Main Roads Board. Its job was to build a connected network of "main roads" across the state. The state government would pay for half the cost, and local councils would pay the other half.

By 1923, there were almost 17,000 cars in Queensland. By 1934, this number jumped to 92,000! This huge increase showed how important good roads were becoming. In 1925, the Main Roads Board became the Main Roads Commission (MRC).

Roads During World War II

World War II also led to more road building. The MRC helped with many defence projects, building roads for the war effort. After the war, even more cars were on the roads. The department needed to seal more roads with bitumen (a type of tar) to make them smoother and safer.

The Main Roads Department Expands

By 1951, the MRC became the Main Roads Department (MRD). It was responsible for planning and building all kinds of roads and bridges. Vehicle numbers kept rising, from 129,126 in 1945 to over 282,594 by 1954. The MRD had a lot more work to do because of this "explosion" in car ownership.

In 1955, the MRD said that Queensland was moving into a new phase of road building. They needed to build roads and bridges that could handle more traffic, faster cars, and heavier loads safely.

Planning the New Head Office

Around 1955, the MRD started looking for a new main office. The Commissioner, AR Williams, said the department had never had a building designed just for them. He wanted a place that was easy for people to register their vehicles, but also had space for departmental vehicles and lots of storage.

Before the new building, the MRD's offices were "scattered throughout the city." The new building would provide better working conditions for its growing staff. It would be the main hub for planning, designing, and building Queensland's roads.

Choosing the Location and Architect

Between 1959 and 1961, the Queensland Government bought a large piece of land in Spring Hill. In June 1959, they hired Dr Karl Langer, a private architect and town planner from Brisbane, to design the new building. Langer started designing the building in late 1959.

Who Was Dr Karl Langer?

Dr Karl Langer was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1903. He studied architecture and worked for a famous Modernist designer, Peter Behrens. In 1933, he earned his PhD for his work on concrete construction.

In 1939, Langer moved to Australia with his wife. He brought new ideas about modern architecture from Europe to Queensland. He taught architecture at University of Queensland and wrote a book called Sub-Tropical Housing in 1944. This book helped many Australian architects design homes for Queensland's warm climate.

Modernist Architecture

Modernist architecture became popular in Australia after World War II. It focuses on clear, simple shapes and designs. It uses new materials and aims for buildings that are very useful and efficient.

Langer was influenced by both old Greek architecture and new Modernist ideas. He believed buildings should fit well with their surroundings. He often designed buildings with gardens of Australian plants. His designs were known for being very practical and flexible. He set new standards for design in Queensland.

Building the Main Roads Office

In January 1960, Charles Barton became the Commissioner of Main Roads. He wanted to modernize Queensland's road network into a system of highways and freeways. He also wanted to make the department more efficient.

On July 1, 1963, the first Road Plan of Queensland began. This was a 20-year plan to build and upgrade roads so that no town was too far from a main road. This plan was very ambitious and needed a well-organized department.

Construction Begins

Site preparation for the new MRD head office started on July 15, 1963. A lot of earth was dug out, and a strong concrete wall was built to create a flat area on the sloping land.

In June 1964, the State Government Insurance Office (SGIO) agreed to buy the land, pay for the building, and then rent it back to the MRD for 40 years. CP Hornick & Son Pty Ltd, a large construction company, built the office.

Construction of the new head office began in July 1965. By this time, over 541,000 vehicles were registered in Queensland. The new office was designed to handle many more people registering their cars.

Langer's Vision for the Building

Langer's design for the MRD building was the biggest project of his career. He wanted it to be a "sculptural" landmark. He made sure the building was set back from the street so it wouldn't cast shadows on nearby properties. He also included lots of landscaping and a special screen of decorative blocks to hide the car park.

The building had a large public area at the front called a forecourt. It was about 21 meters wide and 72 meters long. It had lawns, gardens with Australian plants, and a big pond with fountains to help cool the air. Langer wanted this forecourt to be an important public space.

The main entrance had a modern take on a classical "colonnade" (a row of columns). The concrete frame of the building was visible, painted white, and contrasted with the dark windows.

Smart Design and Materials

The building's structure was modern and "honest." It used a grid of concrete columns and floor slabs, which meant the inside walls didn't need to hold up the building. This made the office layouts very flexible. Shared areas like toilets and tea rooms were grouped in a central core.

Langer used natural materials, many from Queensland, to give the building a "natural" look. He also designed the building to use natural light and air as much as possible. The long sides of the building faced north-east and south-west. These sides had large, double-glazed windows with concrete "egg-crate" shades to block direct sun and reduce heat. The sides facing east and west had fewer windows to block the harsh sun.

A New Era of High-Rise Buildings

In the 1960s, Brisbane saw a big increase in tall office buildings. The Main Roads Building was one of these new high-rises. These buildings showed the excitement and growth of Australia at the time. They were often designed by Modernist architects who wanted to create new and exciting spaces.

The Main Roads Building was 50 meters tall. It had three basement levels, a large ground floor with a mezzanine, nine office levels, and a caretaker's apartment on the roof. It had a huge total floor area of 33,000 square meters, making it the largest concrete office building in Queensland when it was finished.

The public area for vehicle registration on the ground and mezzanine floors was impressive. It had black and white terrazzo floors, marble walls, and special artworks. The building was even floodlit at night to show it off.

Modern Technology and Facilities

The building was designed with modern office technology in mind. It had:

• Basement car parking.
• A large cafeteria, snack kiosk, and lunch room for staff.
• A big, double-height auditorium with projection equipment for training.
• A library for technical and recreation books.
• A room to display models of major road projects.
• A large air-conditioning system.
• A caretaker's apartment.

The department's computer division was in the basement. It had the largest computer in Queensland at the time! This computer had its own special air-conditioning system, and the heat it produced was absorbed by the ornamental ponds at the front of the building. The building also had a system of vacuum tubes to send messages, telephones, CCTV, and a special lift for moving files.

Opening and Legacy

The building was finished in August 1967. In September, over 1250 MRD staff moved in from eight different offices. The building cost $4.5 million.

Frank Nicklin, the Premier of Queensland (the state leader), officially opened the building on November 6, 1967. He said the new building would greatly improve the department's work and its "world-class reputation."

The new office was praised for its modern design and technology. It was hoped that the building, with its landscaped gardens, would encourage other businesses to improve their buildings in Spring Hill.

Dr Karl Langer passed away in 1969. He had a big impact on architecture and town planning in Australia, especially in Queensland. He believed in community responsibility and was involved in many architectural and planning groups. His work is known for its unique "sub-tropical modernism" style.

Main Roads Department's Continuing Work

From this head office, the MRD continued its important work. More and more cars meant the highway network in Queensland grew a lot in the 1970s and 1980s. By the late 2010s, the department was responsible for Queensland's road network, which was worth over $46 billion.

Major road projects managed from this building included:

• The Southeast Freeway (1972).
• The Beef Roads and Developmental Roads schemes (1970s).
• Upgrades to the Bruce Highway.
• The Gateway Arterial Road and Bridge (1986).
• The Pacific Motorway (2000).

Changes Over Time

The building changed a bit over the years. Around 1974, the fountain jets in the forecourt pond were changed to stacked boulder waterfalls. The inside of the building was also changed to fit different office layouts.

In 2006, the forecourt was updated to make it easier for people to access the entrance. This included adding new ramps and changing the gardens and ponds. A sculpture called The Red Cube was also added.

In March 2009, the MRD merged with Queensland Transport to form the Department of Transport and Main Roads. In 2012, the department moved out of the building.

The building was sold in December 2013. After a three-year renovation, it reopened on September 16, 2016, as "The Johnson." It now has a hotel, apartments, offices, a rooftop pool, and restaurants.

What Does the Main Roads Building Look Like?

The former Main Roads Department Building is a 15-story building made of reinforced concrete. It has a Modernist style and stands out on Boundary Road in Spring Hill. The building is on a large, rectangular piece of land.

Key Design Features

The building still has many design elements that show the work of its architect, Dr Karl Langer:

• It mixes subtle classical ideas with Modernist features, like the forecourt and a stylish "colonnade" (row of columns) at the front.
• It has simple shapes, decorations, and room layouts.
• It uses high-quality materials in a careful way.
• It is placed and shaped to get the best natural light and ventilation inside.
• It was designed to be perfect for its purpose.

The Forecourt and Gardens

The garden forecourt is a flat public space at the front of the building on Boundary Street. It has sharp, modern lines of concrete, with areas of trees, grass, paths, and water. A wide path from the street leads across a pond and up to the main entrance. The Red Cube, a large metal sculpture, stands on this path.

The gardens on the sides of the building also have their original abstract layout with concrete walls, stairs, trees, and benches.

The Portico and Tower

The front entrance area, called the portico, looks like a grand colonnade with white concrete columns. It has large, dark windows. The sides of the portico are made of pale yellow bricks.

The main part of the building is the tower, which has 14 levels. It is tall and narrow, with its long sides facing north and south. These sides have many windows with white concrete "egg-crate" sun hoods to provide shade. The windows are large and double-glazed. The side walls (east and west) are mostly concrete with fewer windows.

Inside the Building

The public entry and reception area are still in good condition. They have black and white terrazzo floors and walls covered in marble. An original bronze artwork showing the history of the wheel is in the entrance foyer. Another large artwork, Communications by Leonard Shillam, is in the lift foyer.

The office levels in the tower are mostly open spaces. The top level has two large auditoriums, including the Charles Barton Auditorium, which has a stage and velvet curtains.

On the roof of the tower is a caretaker's apartment. It's a small, three-bedroom flat hidden behind the top of the building. It has a nice patio area.

The service core in the middle of the building holds the lifts, stairs, and shared facilities like toilets and tea rooms. The fire stairs still have their original black and white terrazzo steps and metal railings.

Some parts of the building have been changed and are not considered part of its original heritage. These include some ramps, awnings, doors, and newer office partitions.

The former Main Roads Department Building stands out in Spring Hill. It can be seen from many surrounding areas and offers great views from inside. Its gardens and open spaces add to the character of the neighborhood.

Why is the Main Roads Building a Heritage Site?

The former Main Roads Department Building was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on June 13, 2014, for several reasons:

Showing Queensland's History

The building shows how the Queensland Government dealt with the huge increase in cars after World War II. It was built to bring together and modernize the department's work on expanding the state's road network. It was the largest reinforced concrete office building in Queensland at the time, showing how important the Main Roads Department was to Queensland's growth.

It also shows how Queensland architecture changed, as it's a great example of a large, well-designed Modernist building that was adapted for local conditions.

Showing Key Features of its Type

The building is a good example of Dr Karl Langer's work. It shows his unique style, which includes:

• Mixing classical ideas with Modernist designs, like the forecourt and colonnade.
• Simple shapes, decorations, and layouts.
• Careful use of high-quality materials.
• Being designed to get the best natural light and air inside.
• Being perfectly suited for its purpose.

As his largest project, it's a rare example of how Langer applied his ideas on a big scale.

It's also a good example of a mid-20th century high-rise office building in Queensland. It shows the main features of these buildings, such as:

• Being very tall compared to its base.
• Having a strong Modernist look.
• Being built with reinforced concrete.
• Having a fancy ground floor entrance.
• Using a public space around the building.
• Having a logical and repeated floor plan.
• Including modern office technology and staff facilities.

Aesthetic Significance

The building is important because it looks great and stands out. It has a strong presence in the streetscape. Its Modernist style uses different textures and materials, like concrete, stone, and decorative blocks. The abstract design of the gardens and the use of high-quality Queensland materials in the public areas make it very beautiful.

Special Association

The building has a strong connection to the Main Roads Department. This department played a huge role in Queensland's economic and social development during the 20th century. The building served as its main office for 45 years.

Images for kids

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  Main Roads Building, 2014