Alexandra Buchanan Architecture

Brisbane Design Capital

Look out, Melbourne. When it comes to design, Brisbane’s about to pull a Moscow at the end of WWI. Brisbane is Kalimantan and Melbourne is Jakarta, sinking into the Java Sea. For those who snoozed through early 20th Century history classes (who didn’t?) and haven’t read a newspaper lately (which, let’s face it, is most of us), Brisbane is about to become Australia’s newest cultural capital. Brisbane: Design Capital.

You snooze, you lose, Melbourne.

You may snortle. You may be a staunch ‘Brisbane: Design Capital’ denier. It doesn’t matter. It’s happening. Here’s the evidence (and it’s mounting):

From Cultural Cringe to Cultural Capital

Ok, so Brissy hasn’t traditionally been the seat of design and culture. In fact, until recently, Brisbane was considered a laid-back, but characterless city; a Moreton Bay backwater. The moniker ‘Brisvegas’ was irony, not a compliment. Ouch. But you only have to look at the now infamous eatery JoJo’s for a taste of Brisbane’s transition: from rainbow-spangled kitsch to West End warehouse conversion. If Stefan’s Skyneedle is a barometer, it’s predicting a cultural-cool change.

Sure, it wasn’t until 1994 that we dabbled in alfresco dining (prior to this, setting up tables on the footpath was illegal), but since then we’ve embraced it with gusto, fuelling today’s vibrant cafe culture. Today, high-end restaurants, trendy cafes, art galleries, inspiring creatives and talented architects 😉 spill onto the streets all over the city. And it’s not just us who think this way, GQ mag and Lonely Planet agree. Melburnians, who are used to shivering through the gloom in a dank laneway, warmed only by their latte, are looking north to soak up the creative atmosphere and enjoy another perfect day. Sorry Melbourne, bad weather might breed culture, but it needs warmth and moisture to thrive.

QAGOMA, the Powerhouse are just the beginning

While QAGOMA boasts Australia’s largest collection of contemporary art, the
Powerhouse has an expansive calendar of plays, concerts and cabaret, but a
growing number of smaller, independent galleries are showing their clout. Jan Murphy Gallery displays some of Australia’s brightest talents including Kirra Jamison, Ben Quilty and Rhys Lee to name a few. The Edwina Corlette Gallery displays a media by artists from Australia and the South Pacific. And the Cox Architecture-designed Philip Bacon Galleries is also a must-see. Even this list is just the beginning, check out Culture Trip for a more comprehensive list of Brisbane’s best galleries.

Art and Design: from bad to BAD

The emergence of the Brisbane Art Design festival (BAD) in 2019 signals this hot city is heating up in the art and design world. Over 17 days BAD brought together 150+ artists and designers across 25+ locations. Fingers crossed it will be back next year even bigger and bolder to show Australia how BAD we can be.

Queensland Chapter of the Architecture Awards

Or you could look at the recent winners of the Queensland Architecture Awards to see how strong the design talent in Brisbane has become. Terrarium House by John Elway took out the award for Houses (Alterations and Additions) and demonstrates how architects are embracing what makes Brisbane unique, using the climate to create homes that embrace the outdoors and integrate landscape and greenery, rather than treating them like an afterthought.

Then there’s the winner of the the Jennifer Taylor Award for Educational
Architecture, a Creative Industries Precinct for QUT by Richard Kirk Architect and Hassell. If this project is any indication, design is on the up in Brisbane. QUT has taken the gamble and we think they’re on the money.

So don’t get too comfortable on your art and design, Melbourne. And Sydney?
You can forget it. Brisbane is on the rise and we’re about to become Australia’s
Design Capital. You heard it here first.

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