Sugar Research Institute facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sugar Research Institute |
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Sugar Research Institute, 2007
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| Location | 239 Nebo Road, West Mackay, Mackay, Mackay Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1940s–1960s (post-World War II) |
| Built | 1953, 1966 & 1973 |
| Architect | Karl Langer, Harold Vivian Marsh Brown |
| Architectural style(s) | Modernism |
| Official name: Sugar Research Institute & Residence | |
| Type | state heritage (built, archaeological) |
| Designated | 14 March 2008 |
| Reference no. | 602642 |
| Significant period | 1953–2005 |
| Builders | Don Johnstone |
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The Sugar Research Institute is a building in West Mackay, Mackay, Australia. It used to be a place where scientists studied sugar. The main building was designed by a famous architect named Karl Langer. It was built in two main parts, first in 1953 and then a second part in 1966. This important site is now listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.
History of Sugar Research
The Sugar Research Institute in Mackay was built in 1953. A builder named Don Johnstone constructed the first part. Later, in 1966, the second part was added. This second part was based on Karl Langer's original plans. Another architect, Harold Brown, helped with the plans for the second stage.
Why Sugar Research Started
In the 1860s, people discovered that the land around Mackay was perfect for growing sugar cane. By 1870, sugar was the main industry in the area. To help farmers, a State Nursery opened in 1889. This nursery later became the Mackay Sugar Experiment Station. It focused on finding better types of sugar cane and more efficient ways to grow it.
The Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations was formed in 1900. It helped coordinate research in different sugar-growing areas like Mackay, Cairns, and Bundaberg. They studied cane types, soil, and irrigation. However, sugar mill owners felt they didn't have enough say in the research.
After World War II, the sugar industry faced challenges. They needed to produce more sugar and improve how factories worked. The government didn't want to change how the Bureau of Experiment Stations operated. So, sugar producers decided to create their own research institute. This new institute would be funded and controlled by the sugar industry itself.
Building the Institute
Sugar Research Limited was officially started in 1949. Many sugar companies joined to fund it. Their first big tasks were to hire a director and find a place for the research center.
Dr. Henry William (Bill) Kerr was chosen as the first director. He was a very important person in the Australian sugar industry. He had worked for the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations for many years. Dr. Kerr was key to setting up the new institute.
The board decided to build the main laboratories in Mackay. This was because Mackay was the largest sugar-growing area. It was also in the middle of the Australian sugar industry. They invited Dr. Karl Langer to design the buildings.
Karl Langer's Design Ideas
Karl Langer was an architect who came to Australia from Vienna in 1939. He was known for his modern designs. He had already worked on the town plan for Mackay.
Langer designed the main institute building. It would have offices, a meeting room, a drawing office, a library, and a lecture room. The first floor would hold the research laboratories. He also planned a separate building for workshops and storage. Langer even designed a house for the director and a small cottage for a caretaker.
Langer's design was special because it considered the climate. He made sure the building faced north. This helped keep the building cool in summer and bright in winter. The laboratories on the south side got even light, which was good for scientific work.
Building costs went up after the war because materials and skilled workers were hard to find. So, the institute building was built in stages.
The Institute in Action
The Sugar Research Institute officially opened on August 22, 1953. It was a big event, with many important guests. The Treasurer of Australia, Sir Arthur Fadden, said that the sugar industry was very well organized.
The institute became a place where scientists and engineers worked together. They studied how sugar was made in mills. Their main goal was to solve problems for the sugar industry. Since it was funded by the industry, it was quite unique.
Karl Langer also planned the landscaping. He had 58 royal palms (Roystonea regia) planted along the road in 1954. Each palm represented one of the institute's member mills. The second part of the main building, which looked like the first, opened in 1966.
Over the years, the institute made huge improvements in sugar production. By 1972, their research had tripled sugar output. They found ways to improve cane transport, make milling more efficient, and reduce pollution.
The institute held yearly meetings and conferences. These events allowed mill workers to discuss problems and share ideas. In 1973, the Charles Young Conference Hall was opened. It was named after Charles Young, who was the first chairman of the institute.
In the 1990s, the sugar industry faced tough economic times. The institute continued its research, even with fewer staff. They developed more efficient equipment for sugar mills. For example, they designed better condensers that used less water and energy. This saved money and helped the environment.
Individual researchers also received awards. Dr. Peter Wright, who started at the institute in 1957, won the prestigious Sugar Industry Technologists Crystal Award in 2003. This award honors people who have greatly helped the sugar refining industry.
Changes and New Life
In 2005, the Sugar Research Institute joined with Queensland University of Technology. By 2006, the property was sold, and the research moved to Brisbane. The building was then rented out as offices.
Later, the institute buildings were redeveloped again. In 2021, they began to be turned into a Catholic secondary school. This school, Catherine McAuley College Mackay, opened in February 2022. The school has added new buildings and will continue to grow.
Buildings and Features
The Sugar Research Institute has several buildings. These include the Main Building, garages, the Director's Residence, and a workshop. A covered walkway connects the Main Building to a Conference Hall and another office/laboratory building. There's also a small caretaker's cottage.
The Main Building and other original parts were built in 1953. The west wing was added in 1966. From the outside, it's hard to tell the difference, as the new part matched the old design.
Outdoor Areas
A key feature is the double row of royal palms along the road. These palms were planted in 1954. A low brick fence runs along the road, with pillars at the entrances. A circular driveway leads to the front of the main building.
There are also large trees near the Director's Residence. Planting beds are in front of the main building and inside the circular driveway. The house has a fenced garden behind it.
Main Institute Building
The main building has two floors and a basement. It is made of brick. It has a grand entrance with white marble steps and columns. This style is called "stripped classical."
The windows on the front of the building are tall timber windows. Concrete canopies stick out over them, providing shade. The roof is low and hidden behind a wall.
Inside the Main Building
The basement is a practical area for machinery. The ground floor has offices, lecture rooms, and administrative spaces. A central hallway runs through the building.
The entrance hall is very impressive, with marble floors and walls. It has a high ceiling. A large library/lecture hall opens off the entrance hall.
The offices have special glass louvers above the doors. These allow air to flow through and let natural light into the hallway. The older east wing of the building has more timber finishes, like special wood panels in the director's office.
The first floor mainly has laboratories. These are large spaces where scientists worked. The "ER Behne Laboratory" is named after Edmund Rowlands Behne, who was an important director of the institute.
Director's Residence
The Director's Residence is connected to the garage building. It has a brick exterior and a tiled roof. The house has large living and dining areas. The bedrooms have built-in cupboards and shelves. The kitchen also has plenty of storage.
Charles Young Conference Hall
The Charles Young Conference Hall is a brick building west of the main building. A covered walkway connects them. This walkway has strong concrete columns and beams.
The conference hall is a large open space. It has special facilities for meetings. An office and laboratory wing extends from the hall.
Heritage Significance
The Sugar Research Institute and its residence are important because they show how Queensland's sugar industry developed. It was a unique research center funded by the industry itself. The construction of the institute shows the sugar industry's dedication to research. It also highlights Mackay's role as a key center for sugar production and research.
The main building is a great example of Karl Langer's work. His design was smart and modern for its time. He used simple, clean lines and planned the building to suit Queensland's climate. The way the building is designed, with its northern orientation, shows his new ideas for building in hot climates.
The institute is also important for its look and setting. The royal palms along the road are a landmark. They were planted to represent the member mills. The building's design and its setting along Nebo Road make it stand out.
