Conrad Gargett
Conrad Gargett was an Australian architecture and design practice founded in Brisbane in 1890, one of Queensland's earliest architectural firms. The practice operated out of studios in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Townsville and Addis Ababa. In 2023, it merged with Australian architecture firm, Architectus.
Establishment
Conrad Gargett Architecture was established as HW Atkinson in 1890 by Henry Wallace Atkinson with the winning design for the new Brisbane Head Fire Station. Charles McLay joined Atkinson to form the partnership HW Atkinson & Chas McLay in 1907. The practice subsequently assumed the position of Diocesan Architect to the Anglican Church, designing several schools and churches in South East Queensland. Following the death of McLay in 1918, the practice was renamed Atkinson & Conrad when Arnold Conrad became a partner. The new firm was noted for its use of the distinctive Spanish Mission style in many of its projects. The practice was also appointed to the position of Hospital Architect by various hospital boards and played a large role in the design of hospitals in Queensland between 1920–80, including extensive projects at the Royal Brisbane Hospital, South Brisbane Auxiliary Hospital, Prince Charles Hospital and Gold Coast Hospital. Following their appointment in 1926 as architects to the Brisbane and South Coast Hospital Board, the practice took on a new partner Lange Leopold Powell becoming Atkinson, Powell & Conrad.During the post-war era, the firm now called AH Conrad & TBF Gargett became a prominent designer of commercial office towers in the Brisbane CBD. Most notable of these were the SGIO Building including the SGIO Theatre and head offices for three of the big four banks. The MLC building, designed in 1955 with Bates Smart, was one of the first commercial office buildings to be built in the undecorated, modern style in Brisbane.
In 2017, a book titled Conrad Gargett was published detailing the history of the firm between 1890 and 2015. The book was edited by Robert Riddel, and attempts to provide a broader historical and architectural context to the various phases in which the practice has operated.
Growth
Conrad Gargett formed after Conrad Gargett Architecture undertook a series of mergers with Riddel Architecture and Ancher Mortlock Woolley. The contemporary firm is a multi-disciplinary practice, which specialises in health, education, heritage and defence.Riddel Architecture was established in 1982 by Robert Riddel. The Brisbane-based practice focused on heritage, conservation and adaptive reuse projects. Notable works by the firm include the restoration and adaptive re-use of Brisbane's Customs House, the former Wests Furniture Showroom and the former Queensland National Bank at 308 Queen Street.
Ancher Mortlock Woolley, initially called Ancher Mortlock & Murray, was established in 1946 by Sydney Ancher, Bryce Mortlock and Stuart Murray. The Sydney-based practice was later joined by Ken Woolley in 1964. The practice designed modern structures, winning both the Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture and the Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture. Notable projects by the practice include Town Hall House and Sydney Square and more recently, the Royal Agricultural Showground Exhibition Halls and restoration of the State Library of Victoria.
As at 2022, Conrad Gargett employed over 200 staff and worked in varying scales and sectors including commercial, community and civic, defence, education and research, health, heritage, infrastructure, justice, residential, retail and Hospitality, seniors living, sport and leisure, transport, urban design and masterplanning, and workplace and interior design.
On 5 April 2023, it was announced that Conrad Gargett would merge with another large Australian practice Architectus, to create one of Australia's largest architecture firms, with over 700 employees.
Notable works
Conrad Gargett has designed some of Australia's landmark buildings, predominately in Queensland, including the following major architectural projects:| Completed | Firm name | Project name | Location | Award | Notes and Related Articles |
| 1890 | HW Atkinson | Fire Brigade Head Station, Ann & Edward St | Brisbane City | ||
| 1892 | HW Atkinson | Coorparoo School of Arts and RSL Memorial Hall | Coorparoo | ||
| 1903 | HW Atkinson | Wesleyan Methodist Church, Linton Street | Kangaroo Point | ||
| 1906 | HW Atkinson | Brisbane Fruit & Produce Markets, Turbot St | Brisbane | ||
| 1906 | HW Atkinson | Queensland Brewery | Fortitude Valley | ||
| 1907 | HW Atkinson & Charles McLay | Fire Station, Ann & Wharf St | Brisbane | ||
| 1907 | HW Atkinson & Charles McLay | Villa Residence "Denila", for FAJ Isles, Jordan Tce | |||
| 1909 | HW Atkinson & Charles McLay | Ithaca Town Council Chambers | Red Hill | ||
| 1910 | HW Atkinson & Charles McLay | Fitzroy Chambers | Brisbane City | ||
| 1910 | HW Atkinson & Charles McLay | McWhirters & Son, Wickham & Warner St | |||
| 1912 | HW Atkinson & Charles McLay | Desmond Chambers, Adelaide St | Brisbane City | ||
| 1918 | HW Atkinson & Charles McLay | Church of England Grammar School | East Brisbane | ||
| 1918 | HW Atkinson & Charles McLay | Trades and Labour Hall | Brisbane City | ||
| 1920 | Atkinson & Conrad | The Southport School | Southport | ||
| 1923 | Atkinson & Conrad | St Paul's Anglican Church and Columbarium | East Brisbane | ||
| 1925 | Atkinson & Conrad | Gordon and Gotch, Adelaide St | Brisbane City | ||
| 1926 | Atkinson & Conrad | Atcherley Private Hotel, Adelaide St | Brisbane City | ||
| 1926 | Atkinson & Conrad | Craigston Apartments, Wickham Tce | Spring Hill | ||
| 1926 | Atkinson & Conrad | Block 2 & Block 3, Royal Brisbane Hospital | Herston | ||
| 1927 | Atkinson & Conrad | Residence and rooms for Dr Hedley Brown | Nundah | ||
| 1927 | Atkinson & Conrad | Masonic Temple, Ann St | Brisbane City | ||
| 1928 | Atkinson, Powell & Conrad | St John's Cathedral | Brisbane City | ||
| 1928 | Atkinson, Powell & Conrad | National Australia Bank (180 Queen Street) | Brisbane City | ||
| 1929 | Atkinson, Powell & Conrad | Brisbane Boys' College | |||
| 1929 | Atkinson, Powell & Conrad | Lady Lamington Nurses Home, Royal Brisbane Hospital | Herston | ||
| 1930 | Atkinson, Powell & Conrad | Royal Women's Hospital, Royal Brisbane Hospital | Herston | ||
| 1930 | Atkinson, Powell & Conrad | Tristram's Factory | West End | ||
| 1934 | Atkinson, Powell & Conrad | Somerville House Library | South Brisbane | ||
| 1935 | Atkinson, Powell & Conrad | Courier-Mail Building, Queen St | Brisbane City | ||
| 1935 | Atkinson, Powell & Conrad | Finney Isles & Co Building, Queen St | Brisbane City | ||
| 1951 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | South Brisbane Auxiliary Hospital | |||
| 1953 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | Cromwell College, University of Queensland | |||
| 1953 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | Prince Charles Hospital | |||
| 1954 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | St John's College, University of Queensland | St Lucia | ||
| 1955 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | MLC, Adelaide & Edward St | Brisbane City | ||
| 1958 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | Women's College, University of Queensland | St Lucia | ||
| 1960 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | St John's Cathedral | Brisbane City | ||
| 1960 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | Physiology Lecture Theatres, University of Queensland | St Lucia | ||
| 1961 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | Commonwealth Bank Building, King George Square | Brisbane City | ||
| 1962 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | Queensland Newspapers | Bowen Hills | ||
| 1963 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | Bishopsbourne | |||
| 1963 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | Sir William MacGregor Building, University of Queensland | St Lucia | ||
| 1965 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | Head Fire Station, Kemp Place | Fortitude Valley | ||
| 1965 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | The Age Newspapers | Tullamarine, Melbourne | ||
| 1967 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | SGIO Offices and Theatre | Brisbane City | ||
| 1968 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | Block 7 & Block 8, Royal Brisbane Hospital | Herston | ||
| 1970 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | Brisbane Administration Centre and City Plaza | Brisbane City | ||
| 1971 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | ANZ Head Office, Queen & Creek St | Brisbane City | ||
| 1971 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | 100 George Street, Executive Building | Brisbane City | ||
| 1972 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | Central Railway Administration Building, Central Station | Brisbane City | ||
| 1973 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | Comalco House, George & Ann St | Brisbane City | ||
| 1974 | AH Conrad & TBF Gargett | National Bank House | Brisbane City | ||
| 1978 | Conrad Gargett and Partners | National Mutual Centre, Edward & Charlotte St | Brisbane City | ||
| 1981 | Conrad Gargett and Partners | Santos House and Rowes Arcade, Adelaide St | Brisbane City | ||
| 1981 | Conrad Gargett and Partners | Queensland Parliament House | Brisbane City | ||
| 1982 | Conrad Gargett and Partners | Sheraton Hotel, Central Station | Brisbane City | ||
| 1983 | Conrad Gargett and Partners | The Mansions, George St | Brisbane City | ||
| 1985 | Conrad Gargett and Partners | Queensland Mapping and Surveying Building | Woolloongabba | ||
| 1989 | Conrad Gargett and Partners | Commonwealth Bank Head Office, Queen & Edward St | Brisbane City | ||
| 1990 | Conrad Gargett and Partners | St Martin's House, St John's Cathedral Precinct | Brisbane City | ||
| 1991 | Conrad Gargett and Partners | Queensland Newspapers | Murarrie | ||
| 1992 | Conrad Gargett and Partners | State Law Building, Ann St | Brisbane City | ||
| 1993 | Conrad Gargett and Partners | Therapies and Anatomy, University of Queensland | St Lucia | ||
| 1995 | Conrad Gargett | Brisbane Customs House | Brisbane CBD | ||
| 1996 | Conrad Gargett | Balmoral Water Reserve | Brisbane City | ||
| 1999 | Conrad Gargett | Brisbane City Hall | Brisbane City | ||
| 2000 | Conrad Gargett | Australian Catholic University Masterplan | Banyo | ||
| 2000 | Conrad Gargett | Spring Hill Baths | Brisbane City | ||
| 2001 | Conrad Gargett | RAAF Base Amberley Redevelopment | Amberley | ||
| 2001 | Conrad Gargett | St Stephens Cathedral | Brisbane City | ||
| 2003 | Conrad Gargett | Blackall Woolscour conservation | Blackall | ||
| 2004 | Conrad Gargett | Brisbane City Hall | Brisbane City | ||
| 2004 | Conrad Gargett | Combined Mess Facility, RAAF Base Townsville | Townsville | ||
| 2004 | Conrad Gargett | Clinical Science Building I Griffith University | Brisbane City | ||
| 2005 | Conrad Gargett | State Library of Victoria Redevelopment | Melbourne City | ||
| 2006 | Conrad Gargett | St Stephen's Cathedral Precinct | Brisbane City | ||
| 2009 | Conrad Gargett | Warroo Shire Hall | Warroo | ||
| 2009 | Conrad Gargett | Barambah Station | Barambah | ||
| 2009 | Conrad Gargett | Holy Spirit Seminary, Brisbane Australian Catholic University | Banyo | ||
| 2009 | Conrad Gargett | Old Government House Conservation and Adaptation | Gardens Point | ||
| 2009 | Conrad Gargett | Former West's Furniture Showroom | Fortitude Valley | ||
| 2010 | Conrad Gargett | Queen Victoria Building Refurbishment | Sydney CBD | ||
| 2011 | Conrad Gargett | Australian Tropical Science Innovation Project | Townsville | ||
| 2012 | Conrad Gargett | Harvey's Bistro | Fortitude Valley | ||
| 2013 | Conrad Gargett | Emergency Shelter Competition | Brisbane City | ||
| 2013 | Conrad Gargett | BDO Workplace | Brisbane | ||
| 2013 | Conrad Gargett | Harrison Grierson Workplace | Brisbane | ||
| 2013 | Conrad Gargett | Goddard Building Rooftop Expansion University of Queensland | St Lucia | ||
| 2013 | Conrad Gargett | Mt Isa Hospital Redevelopment | |||
| 2014 | Conrad Gargett | St Stephen's Hospital | |||
| 2014 | Conrad Gargett | Queensland Children's Hospital | South Brisbane | ||
| 2014 | Conrad Gargett | ACU St John Paul II Building T | Brisbane, Queensland | ||
| 2015 | Conrad Gargett | St John Paul II Building Australian Catholic University | Banyo | ||
| 2015 | Conrad Gargett | General Electric Headquarters | Springfield, Queensland | ||
| 2015 | Conrad Gargett | Brian Wilson Chancellery, University of Queensland | St Lucia | ||
| 2016 | Conrad Gargett | Stanthorpe, Queensland | |||
| 2016 | Conrad Gargett | Collection House Workplace | Brisbane, Queensland | ||
| 2016 | Conrad Gargett | Griffith University Aquatic Centre and Gym | Gold Coast, Queensland |
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| 2016 | Conrad Gargett | UQ Whitty Building | Brisbane, Queensland | ||
| 2017 | Conrad Gargett | St Laurence’s STEM and Sports Centre | Brisbane, Queensland | ||
| 2017 | Conrad Gargett | QUT Gardens Point OJW Conference Venue | Brisbane, Queensland | ||
| 2018 | Conrad Gargett | Africa Hall Redevelopment | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | ||
| 2018 | Conrad Gargett | Coorparoo Square | Brisbane, Queensland | ||
| 2018 | Conrad Gargett | Queensland Theatre’s Bille Brown Theatre | Brisbane, Queensland | ||
| 2018 | Conrad Gargett | North Shore State School | Townsville, Queensland | ||
| 2018 | Conrad Gargett | Sydney Ferry Wharves Upgrade Project | Sydney, New South Wales | ||
| 2019 | Conrad Gargett | Maritimo | Brisbane, Queensland | ||
| 2019 | Conrad Gargett | Glenala State High School | Brisbane, Queensland | ||
| 2019 | Conrad Gargett | Ogden Street Transport Revitalisation Project | Townsville, Queensland | ||
| 2020 | Conrad Gargett | Proserpine Administration and Local Disaster Coordination Centre | Proserpine, Queensland | ||
| 2020 | Conrad Gargett | Smalls Road Public School | Ryde, Sydney | ||
| 2020 | Conrad Gargett | Rockhampton Performing Arts and Convention Centre | Rockhampton, Queensland | - | |
| 2020 | Conrad Gargett | Newcastle Station Stage 2 Redevelopment & Public Realm | Newcastle, New South Wales | ||
| 2020 | Conrad Gargett | Building 8, RNA Showgrounds | Brisbane, Queensland | 2022 AIA Architecture Awards — Commended for Brisbane Region Heritage Architecture | |
| 2021 | Conrad Gargett | York Street | Beenleigh, Queensland | ||
| 2021 | Conrad Gargett | Timbin House | North Stradbroke Island | ||
| 2021 | Conrad Gargett | Minokō | North Stradbroke Island | ||
| 2021 | Conrad Gargett | Queensland Rail Station Design Manual | Queensland | ||
| 2022 | Conrad Gargett | Rockhampton Museum of Art | Rockhampton, Queensland | ||
| 2022 | Conrad Gargett | Thomas Dixon Centre, Home of the Queensland Ballet | Brisbane, Queensland | = | |
| 2022 | Conrad Gargett | National School Building at Warwick East State School | Warwick, Queensland | ||
| Current | Conrad Gargett | Mohammed bin Salman “Misk” Foundation Centre | Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City, Saudi Arabia | ||
| Current | Conrad Gargett | The HIVE | Townsville, Queensland |