Brisbane Open House October 2015

Phew!  My feet are still killing me after a weekend of volunteering and traipsing around town peeking into wonderful buildings.  Brisbane along with many other cities around the world opens up its historical, and/or just plain fabulous buildings, houses, churches and so on to the public for one weekend each year.  It is a great time of year for it, as it is not too hot yet, and the jacarandas are just starting to bloom as are all the other Spring flowers.  

For the last 3 years, I have volunteered for Brisbane Open House.  This year, I conducted guided tours for The Chambers -  the former National Australia Bank building built in 1885. (They are still tenants there).  Wow!  That was a bit scary, seeing that I have never done tours before.  But I made it through, and was very pleased with myself to have met a big challenge, and survived to tell the tale.

beautiful stairs in the Masonic Memorial Temple   

The Temple was built between 1928-30, in the Classical Revival style.  I especially love the marble stairs, the Corinthian columns and the bronze front door.      

looking across to the GPO from the balcony of The Chambers    

I love that tower on top of the GPO.  I want to live there:=)

ornate ceiling and lovely chandelier in the Board Room of The Chambers 

St. Stephen's Chapel    

This little church began life in 1850, and was the only Roman Catholic church in Brisbane till 1874.

interior of Wilson Architects in Spring Hill  

This is a really wonderful re-use of an old terrace house and an original Queenslander. You can see where they have joined the two buildings, leaving the old fire place in the cottage as evidence of a previous existence. 

glorious oleanders outside their office  

St. Brigid's, Red Hill  

This building has design features from the Gothic French cathedral Sainte-Cecile in Albi (check it out on Youtube).  St Brigid's sits on the top of a hill with amazing views over Brisbane.  We were lucky enough to hear the organ being played during our visit.

fabulous architectural features on the Roma Street Station Heritage Building  

This was the original Brisbane Terminal Station.  The facade has been beautifully restored, with the internal spaces still to be fully renovated.

  

lots do to on the inside! 

A newly-retired friend also took up the challenge and volunteered for Open House this year.  It is exhausting and exhilarating; so much fun and so much to see and learn.  Put it in your calendar for next year.  You will get a whole new perspective on your city.

Brisbane Open House 2014-October 11/12

Brisbane, like other big cities around the world such as London, New York and Rome opens up its buildings both historic and modern to viewers once a year during the Open House weekend.  If you have a love of architecture and history, this is the event for you!  You will find that it broadens your knowledge, and increases your awareness of the wonderful built environment that surrounds us in beautiful Brisbane.  Mr Pickings is a building designer, so I can very proudly say that his influence on the buildings of Brisbane in its own small way is profound, and reflects his love of design.  This love for the built environment of course has rubbed off on me over the years!
Last year I was one of the 500 volunteers who helped to support this event, and this year will see me once again giving my time to this worthwhile and fascinating free-of-charge, annual experience.  You can check out the details of the weekend here.  Make sure you allow yourself lots of time, and plan out your day as there is a lot to see!  Hope to see you there.

Very popular ABC Brisbane Centre at Southbank

Spring Hill Baths

Eco-Sciences Precinct

QUT Science & Engineering Centre

Translational Research Institute

       (Permission by Open House Brisbane to use these images in this post)


(This post is in line with my advertorial policy.  I have not been paid to write this article.  I was asked to consider putting up a post, and I have done so as I am a keen fan of this scheme!)

Brisbane Open House 2013

Brisbane springtime flowering jacarandas architecture history - what's not to love?  A couple of weeks ago this river city celebrated its 4th year with the Open House scheme. And this year I decided to be one of the 500 volunteers who help keep the scheme running.  I spent an afternoon at the Old Windmill on Wickham Terrace, enjoying meeting people and helping them get a taste of Brisbane history and architecture.  The Windmill is the oldest surviving building in Queensland, built in 1828 by convicts.  It has had a chequered life and is currently unused.  It is very popular when open during the Open House weekend each year, and hopefully next year they will be able to allow visitors to check out the old reservoirs at the same location. There were 71 buildings open, 500 volunteers and over 51000 visitors all up.

I managed to fit in a visit to the Old Museum after my volunteer shift.  There was a gorgeous full moon, music, food, wine and a beautiful old building to boot.  I thoroughly recommend the Open House scheme- come one come all. See you there next year!

looking out from the bottom floor of the old mill

from the top of the old mill

gorgeous bougainvillea outside the old museum

looking up at the old museum at sunset

outside the old museum at night

looking up from inside the Old Windmill