The University of Queensland is taking its second CBD campus to the bank, unveiling plans to adaptively re-use the state heritage-listed National Australia Bank at 308 Queen Street.
In a planning proposal before the City of Brisbane, the university is proposing to refurbish both the bank building, and an existing contemporary office building at the adjacent site, 88 Creek Street. Both buildings were acquired by the university in 2019, with the developments aiming to “add to the diversity of educational services offered by the university.”
BVN has prepared plans for the refurbishment project.
The proposed refurbishment of the National Australia Bank at 308 Queen Street.
Image: BVN
New end-of-trip facilities will be installed in the basement of the 88 Creek Street tower and a new entry will lead to a shared liftwell between the two buildings. Refurbishment works will also be carried out to the stone façade of the heritage bank building.
One of the earliest surviving bank buildings in Brisbane, the National Australia Bank building was designed by Francis Drummond Greville Stanley and built between 1881 and 1924. Its heritage listing notes that it is a significant example of the Classical Revival style.
“The building has a distinct Palladian influence with careful classical detailing and giant order columns,” the listing notes.
The University of Queensland first CBD campus at 293 Queen Street opened in February 2018. It is also a heritage building which was restored and refurbished by Woods Bagot.
UQ says the second CBD campus will help meet the “significant” demand for executive education and continuing professional development.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
