WEEK TWO

HOWARD SMITH WHARVES 

THE SITE  

Above is the site selected for our Architectural Design 5 unit.

HOWARD SMITH WHARVES 

Howard Smith Wharves (HSW) were first constructed in the 1930’s in conjunction with the Story bridge. The site was originally used by Howard Smith and Co. a shipping company that occupied the site from the 1930’s to the early 1960’s. During this time there were three berths and five new storage sheds were planned, however the third berth was never built as World War ΙΙ disrupted the construction. During the war five air-raid shelters were constructed below the cliff face. After Howard Smith and Co. moved from the site the only people to occupied it were the Queensland Water Police and the Queensland Works Department for storage purposes. The site has been vacant for a long period of time except for the minor use as storage and mooring.

It was really hard to access the site but it was clear from the fence that the Story Bridge has a large presence in the site, leaving people to feel that they are insignificant within the site.


The main interest to me was the old bunker that was just inside the gate! I really wanted to go inside it, to try and imagine what it was like during the war to be sheltering within these bunkers. Almost like hidie holes though out the site..

From far away or approaching the site it is unclear that there is there is a large space available under the bridge to use! could create an interesting approach to design..

 View from the other side of the Story Bridge... There isn't much there! The cliff face creates a space that feels like it is cut off from the city! But in fact there is access to four suburbs!