Brisbane's heritage planning policy should focus on preserving the city's rich architectural tradition and regional character in response to recent urban expansion, according to UQ PhD student Dr Robert Riddel.
Dr Riddel's proposal comes at a time when heritage conservation issues feature on State and Local Government agendas, including the future of Yungaba Immigration Depot and development of the Howard Smith Wharves and Brisbane City Hall.
"Heritage listing protection happened in Queensland much later than in other states and is still seen as a dubious or even elitist activity," Dr Riddel said.
"Specific research and knowledge about our best architects can help overcome the present tendency to not recognise or protect our best architecture and allow our important works to be obscured by change."
Dr Riddel’s PhD thesis chronicled thirty years of the life and work of Queensland architect, RS (Robin) Dods, whose arts and crafts-inspired, climate-oriented designs form part of Brisbane's heritage architectural landscape.
"My dissertation argues for the inventiveness and accomplishment of Dods's architecture and through such knowledge offers a compelling reason for its retention," he said.
Dods was responsible for various Brisbane buildings, including the Mater Hospital, several buildings forming part of the St John's Cathedral precinct and the highly visible red brick St Brigids Church in Red Hill.
Dr Riddel suggested the architect's style resulted from a British training background, an appreciation of Brisbane's need for climate-friendly designs and a desire to preserve the city's timber tradition.
"Dods's concern with fresh air, health and a sensible response to climate still has great relevance today," Dr Riddel said.
"Most of the achievements attributed to Dods are concerned with climate sustainability, however he also contributed much more in his design of houses, churches, commercial buildings, hospitals and public works."
As a former member of the Queensland Heritage Council, Dr Riddel has steered his architectural practice through restoration works on several of Dods’s buildings, including the Maryborough City Hall, Toogoolawah’s Anglican Church and several Brisbane houses.
Dr Riddel’s personal contribution to Brisbane’s architectural legacy features in The Gallery of Modern Art's Place Makers exhibition, which runs until November 23.
Media: Further information, Dr Robert Riddel, telephone 07 3831 4155 or Melanie Sullivan at UQ Communications (0439 366 001).
