1975 – 1995
Following the passing of Bren Gargett a new phase began. The practice had grown enormously and so Peter Gargett stepped into his father’s shoes with Bill Conrad assuming the senior role as chairman. Two months into the new era for the firm Gough Whitlam, the elected Prime Minister, was dismissed and replaced by Malcolm Fraser.
National Mutual Centre 1980
An almost square plan the National Mutual Centre, which is still standing, is a glazed building of twenty storeys with precast rounded corners and a clean, flat roof with no projections. It was built on a modest budget but was intended to have a higher standard of finish, particularly in the lobby areas.
Abri Nursing Home 1981
Ducan McPhee designed several aged care projects for the Anglican Church during his time at Conrad & Gargett. This included the Abri Nursing home located in Southport. Typically the nursing homes of Ducan McPhee feature generous hipped roofs and shaded outdoor areas landscaped with trees.
Queensland Parliament House 1982
The government through the Department of Works commissioned a report from the practice in 1979, including a proposal for renovation. The firm was then further commissioned as architects for the renovation works in association with the Department of Works.
Commonwealth Bank Head Office 1989
The 35 storey tower was won in a limited competition involving five practices in 1984. Within the office Sipen and Holmes produced designs and both were submitted to the bank. When completed in 1989 the project became the showpiece for the firm. Its fan shaped planning is its greatest design strategy enabling the building to embrace the whole corner street frontage.
Commonwealth Bank Head Office 1989
The success of this project was largely due to the traditional procurement and adequate funding arrangement. In 1990 the building became the venue for the firm’s centenary celebrations with a cocktail function that was attended by various ministers and the newly elected Premier Wayne Goss.
Conrad Gargett’s head office now occupies level 26 of the building.
Therapies & Anatomy Building UQ 1993
The Therapies and Anatomy Building at the University of Queensland responded to the broad themes of the Queensland climate and the control of sunlight. The prominent, wing shaped foil of aluminium acted as a unifying element while reflecting light down a narrow opening to a courtyard deep within the space.