New digs for Institute’s Queensland headquarters

The Australian Institute of Architects has announced it will be purchasing a Karl Langer-designed former furniture showroom, which will be used for its new Queensland headquarters.

The building at 620 Wickham Street in Fortitude Valley was originally designed by Karl Langer for West's Furniture in 1953. A 2010 restoration by Riddel Architecture earned it a National Award for Heritage.

"The architects have helped to demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of preservation over new build," the jury noted. "This is not a museum frozen in time. The spirit is faithfully captured; details restored with rigour, energy, affection and wit; and the building revitalized as viable commercial premises now housing the architects themselves."

The building then became home to Riddel Architecture before the firm merged with Conrad Gargett.

"This building is steeped in an architectural legacy that reflects the best of beautifully refurbished mid-century modern design at the hand of our most distinguished local architects," said Queensland chapter president Amy Degenhart. Relocating the state headquarters would communicate "the value of architectural heritage to the ecological, cultural, and community pillars of our future," she added.

Institute CEO Cameron Bruhn said, "I am very pleased to be able to announce the acquisition of this significant building. Karl Langer had a profound influence on the progress of architecture, design and art in Queensland, and the Institute is honoured to be the next custodian of a building that exemplifies Karl's pioneering sub-tropical, Modernist architecture."