Addresses
Type of place
Pumping station
Period
Postwar 1945-1960
Style
Functionalist
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Eagle Farm Pumping Station
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Eagle Farm Pumping Station
Eagle Farm Pumping Station
Addresses
Type of place
Pumping station
Period
Postwar 1945-1960
Style
Functionalist
The Eagle Farm Pumping Station and substation is an outstanding example of the influence of the Interwar Functionalist style on Brisbane’s post-war civic architecture. With their simple, yet powerful arrangement of the principal functional spaces, the rhythmic fenestration and fine workmanship, the buildings form a landmark of considerable visual appeal.
The Pumping Station is a major work of the Council’s distinguished City Architect, F.G. Costello.
Lot plan
Geolocation
-27.432659 153.083667
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Walls: Face brickPeople/associations
Frank Costello (Architect)Criterion for listing
(B) Rarity; (E) Aesthetic; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
Lot plan
Geolocation
-27.432659 153.083667
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Walls: Face brickPeople/associations
Frank Costello (Architect)Criterion for listing
(B) Rarity; (E) Aesthetic; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
History
The Eagle Farm Pumping Station and Substation are typical of the work of F.G. Costello, who was responsible for a number of other Council substations, including, No.12 at Hamilton (1947), No. 14 at Ashgrove (c.1948) and a substation at Newmarket (c. 1948). Both the substation at Ashgrove and these buildings are outstanding examples of the Interwar Functionalist style in their design and detailing.
The Pumping Station still functions as a sewerage pumping station. At the time of writing this report, the Eagle Farm Pumping Station and Substation have been nominated for entry in the Queensland Heritage Register.
Description
The Eagle Farm Pumping Station and electrical substation was designed by the F.G. Costello, who was City Architect with the Council’s Works Department (1941-52). Built in 1947, it is an outstanding example of the Interwar Functionalist style in the detailing and proportions, which were derived from the modern movement in Holland.
The site is bounded by Kingsford Smith Drive, Bunya Street and Violet Street. Pumping Station is the dominant structure, addressing Kingsford Smith Drive while the sub-station stands at the corner of Bunya Street.
The pumping Station is a flat roofed, concrete framed building with cream brick facing. Costello articulates the pumping station’s principal functional spaces in a balanced asymmetrical arrangement around a prominent entry tower. The severity of the bold rectilinear forms is relieved by attention to brick pattern at the window surrounds and parapet and the careful placement of vents. Other characteristic elements include the attention to proportions and vertical and horizontal lines. This is expressed in the rhythmical placement of windows, the flat roof and the exaggerated height of the windows and prominent tower.
The building displays a high quality of workmanship and is a creative and innovative design solution for a functional building. The materials chosen, the careful workmanship and choice of face brickwork, shows the particular influence of the Dutch architect, W.M. Dudok (1884-1974).
The substation is a freestanding, box-like structure with similar brick detailing to the Pumping Station.
A number of other buildings occupy the edges of the site, forming a central yard accessed from Violet Street. The hipped roof, brick workshops and offices were probably built around the same time as the pumping station and occupy northeast corner of the site. The other buildings were either built or acquired in subsequent decades.
A brief visual inspection of the buildings reveals them to be in generally good physical condition. The buildings were not inspected on the inside.
The exterior of the Pumping Station is reasonably in-tact. There have been several additions to the rear of the Pumping Station. The major extension, circa 1976, is integrated with the original through the use of similar brick detailing. The principal views of the Pumping Station, as a composition of simple volumes addressing Kingsford Smith Drive, have not been affected by the additions. However the dense screen of vegetation between the Pumping Station and Kingsford Smith Drive conceals its forms, including the tower. The substation is clear of vegetation and its form and detailing are readily appreciated.
Statement of significance
Relevant assessment criteria
This is a place of local heritage significance and meets one or more of the local heritage criteria under the Heritage planning scheme policy of the Brisbane City Plan 2014. It is significant because:
Supporting images
L. & D. Keen Pty. Ltd. (photographers) for the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (Queensland Chapter),
'Eagle Farm Pumping Station', 824 Kingsford Smith Drive, Eagle Farm, looking north-east, 1959,
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
References
-
Brisbane City Council - City Assets Branch Conservation Management Study Stage 1 Report. November 2002
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised September 2020)