Architects, Builders & Tradespeople

In 2020 work began on researching Ipswich Architects, Builders and Tradespeople. Three historians were engaged to research three architects who had a significant impact on the built development of the city of Ipswich. George Brockwell Gill was researched by Margaret Cook, William Martin Haenke by Toni Risson and Bruce Buchanan by Judith Nissen.

George Brockwell Gill (1858-1954) designed a very large number of significant buildings in Ipswich “and in doing so, set the physical character of the inner city for a long period” (Robyn Buchanan). In his lifetime Gill was referred to as a well-known architect and he was honoured at a testimonial dinner in 1922 and at a series of civic dinners when he retired in 1943. Surprisingly little is known about the architect and his architectural legacy.

William Martin Haenke (1875-1953) was born in Walloon in 1875. He was articled to Ipswich architect Henry E. Wyman in 1891 before moving to Melbourne where he worked for Lloyd Taylor and Fitts. He returned to Queensland and in 1900 practiced in Ipswich as an architect and electrician. “His architectural work at the turn of the century is significant as a creative local adaptation of the European Art Nouveau style, often using extreme asymmetry. He was later an early proponent of the Californian Bungalow style in Queensland, influenced by material sent from America by his architect brother”.

Bruce Buchanan founded Buchanan architects in 1975 with a head office in Ipswich. The practice specialised in innovative architecture and in the adaptive reuse of historic buildings and sites. From 1975 to 1990 Bruce was also part time lecturer in design and architectural history at the Queensland University of Technology, Department of Architecture. Bruce was the first Heritage Adviser for Ipswich City Council from 1992 to 1999 and he was inducted into the Ipswich Heritage Hall of Fame in 2013.