The Australian Institute of Architects has announced that it has appointed a collaborative design partnership comprising of the established national practice, Architectus Conrad Gargett and emerging Brisbane-based studio, Lineburg Wang as architects for the renovation of 620 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, QLD. In June 2023, the Institute announced that it was purchasing the heritage-listed building with the intention of creating a new Queensland headquarters for the organisation at this location. This sale has now been finalised. The Wickham Street building, which is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, was designed by the émigré architect, Karl Langer in 1953 as the showroom for West’s Furniture. The painstaking restoration of the building by Riddel Architecture won the National Award for Heritage at the 2010 National Architecture Awards.
Dr Mark Jones guided the Expression of Interest and jury selection process for the appointment of the consultant team to design the renovation works on behalf of the Institute, and he observed that “our rigorous selection process has enabled us to select an excellent architectural partnership comprising both an impeccable design reputation and the depth of knowledge needed for this sensitive project.” On behalf of the award-winning architectural team, Lynn Wang, director at Lineburg Wang said “this project is an exciting opportunity as it exemplifies the Institute’s commitment to showcasing the profession of architecture through their own occupation of the State-Heritage listed Langer Showroom. We are delighted to be working alongside Architectus Conrad Gargett, with their embedded history in the restoration of the building, and with the Institute in this significant endeavour.” With the appointment of the architect for the renovation the project moves forward to the next stage. Queensland State Chapter President, Amy Degenhart said “it’s wonderful for the Queensland members of the Institute to have a home again. The fact that their new home is such a significant building with deep roots in Queensland architectural history is a credit to all involved, as well as an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the dedication of Queensland architects to the creative custodianship of our rare and precious cultural assets.”
Architectus Conrad Gargett
Architectus design to make a positive and lasting impact on people, cities, and communities. Our practice combines deep expertise in every sector with critical problem-solving skills and a commitment to exceptional design. Through our collaborative ethos and insightful, human-centric approach, we create design outcomes that exemplify elegance, functionality, and sustainability. In 2023, Architectus and Conrad Gargett merged practices. Together, we offer unparalleled expertise spanning the sectors of Education, Public, Transport, Defence, Health, Heritage, Urban Futures, Landscape Architecture, Commercial, Residential and Interior Architecture. We have a strong relationship and joint ownership structure with Architectus Aotearoa in Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington. This expands the expertise and capacity we offer each market, drawing on beneficial ties between us dating back to 2001. As a unified force, we are now one of Australasia’s largest and most diverse design firms, with more than 770 talented designers and specialists working across eleven studios.
Lineburg Wang
Lineburg Wang is a national award-winning architecture practice, most recently recognised by being awarded the RAIA Queensland Architecture Medallion in 2023.
The practice is defined by an iterative design process rather than by scale or building typology. We are equally engaged by tectonic inventiveness as we are by social, cultural, and spatial research and exploration.
We are motivated by architectural responses deeply ingrained in principle, reason, and value, finding opportunity in constraints from which a new architectural language or concept for a project can be derived. We focus on the enjoyment of spaces, and for our buildings to become the silent framework that allows connection of their inhabitants to the local context and landscape.
Our thinking is adaptive and our work collaborative, the projects a holistic outcome of rigorous coordination and conversations with allied disciplines.
Since establishment in 2018, the practice has been recognised through national and international awards, notably RAIA Elina Mottram Award 2020 & 2021, and the Hayes & Scott Award for Small Project Architecture 2023.
For further information, please contact Rosanne Barrett on behalf of the Australian Institute of Architects | M. +61 (0) 425 420 024 | hello@barrettcomms.com.au
