UQ Ipswich retains cultural heritage in landscape
The University of Queensland will incorporate heritage landscape elements into the UQ Ipswich stage two development, which begins construction in April.
University Construction Manager Peter Sampson said the University would follow Ipswich heritage architect Bruce Buchanan's recommendations to restore significant landscape elements of the site.
An attractive pedestrian paved area has also been designed by landscape architects Landscan Pty Ltd to link the $17 million stage one, which opens this month, and stage two. A braille trail will run through campus pathways.
Heritage landscape elements to be retained in stage two include stands of major trees, stone kerbing material, roads and pathways and retaining walls. The development includes landscape rehabilitation of the formal gardens and continuation of site services, roadworks, pedestrian parkways and associate parking.
The UQ Ipswich site, formerly known as the Challinor Centre, was established in 1878 to care for people with intellectual disabilities.
The landscape was originally designed to boost patient morale by using park-like open green spaces.
The areas of historic interest to be refurbished in the UQ Ipswich project include the following:
o The circular drive and forecourt garden to building 13, the former administration building: the gardens were designed by physician Dr Jennings, and constructed by head gardener George Bailey between 1913 and 1917, based on European garden design principles.
o The reunion garden and flagstaff, constructed on the site of the original superintendent's house (1877) and removed in 1921: soon after, the then head gardener Ted Sabine built a formal circular flower garden on this place. The garden was significant as a meeting place for family, friends and patients. The gardens were planted with flowering annuals and some perennials, and a flagstaff was made at Goodna and presented to the centre the same year. Challinor Centre patients last year hand made 200 tiles for the refurbishment project which will be set among pavers used to rebuild the formal gardens.
o The forecourt to building 28, the former hospital building, features an original garden designed and constructed by George Bailey shortly after the building was completed in 1917. Lichgates and an entry pergola were erected in the 1940s to provide shade to patients within the hospital grounds.
o The ha ha wall footprint (a European-style trench wall to retain the view) was constructed and completed in 1909. Subsequent construction over the years saw the wall almost disappear and a section of the ha ha wall used in a bomb shelter construction was converted into a garage.
Mr Sampson said the stage two development would follow conservation best practice for adaptive re-use techniques and protect and enhance the site's cultural significance.
For further information, contact Mr Sampson, telephone 07 3365 1113, or project manager Lucas Kallinosis 07 3365 7409.
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