Written by Nicholas McDougall of the Sugar City Art Deco and Modernism Society | Published March 2025
The Mackay Sugar Research Institute stands as a commanding presence in the streetscape of West Mackay, serving as a resilient Modernist landmark that has withstood the test of time. As the new suburb flourished and grew around it, the institute has retained its significance, surprising many who drive past with its enduring architectural appeal. Its imposing structure not only symbolizes the rich history of the sugar industry but also stands as a testament to the institute’s enduring impact on the local landscape. Constructed in 1953, the institute has undergone several transformations, served different purposes while retained its architectural presence.
In 1953, builder Don Johnstone brought to life the design of prominent architect Karl Langer, whose reputation in modernist architecture in Queensland was already well-established. Langer’s association with Mackay predates the institute’s construction, as he had been commissioned by the Mackay City Council to revise the town plan earlier. His forward-thinking approach to climatic design is evident in the institute’s features, such as northern orientation to maximize shading in summer and optimize light distribution in winter.
Commissioned by the Sugar Research Institute’s secretary, Langer designed a facility with offices, a boardroom, drawing office, library, and lecture room on the ground floor, while the first floor housed state-of-the-art research laboratories. The building also included a single-storey utility building for workshops, stores, and a machinery room, with provisions for future expansion. On August 22, 1953, the institute was officially opened by then Federal Treasurer, Sir Arthur Fadden, who emphasized the global importance of the sugar industry.
The post-war era presented challenges, with shortages of skilled labour and materials leading to cost escalations. Notably, the director’s residence was designed to accommodate the director’s family and maid, reflecting the status of the position. Escalating costs meant that Director’s residence had to be modified and the institute building was completed in stages. The second half of the building, the mirror image of the first side, was completed to Langer’s original design and opened in August 1966. Prominent local architect Harold Vivian Marsh Brown prepared plans for the second stage of the building in 1963.
The landscaping of the institute was part of Langer’s design, which included the planting of royal palms along the roadside perimeter. The palms were planted in 1954 (a total of 58 at the time) to represent each of the institute’s member mills.
The institute exterior is a two-storey face-brick building with a sub-floor basement. The building is best described stylistically as being “stripped classical”, given its symmetrical massing and emphasised classical portico. The classical influence is maintained through by the uses of white marble for the entrance steps and cladding to the walls, columns and ceiling of the portico. Two pedestals intended to support sculptures flank the entrance which would have further emphasised the classical theme.
In 2005, Sugar Research Limited formed an exclusive affiliation with the Queensland University of Technology, providing stakeholders with enhanced research and consulting facilities. By 2006, the property’s sale was finalized, and the research operations were moved to Brisbane, leading to the building’s advertisement for lease.
The institute underwent a refurbishment and was adapted for use as the Parklands Mackay Business Hub, providing serviced offices. This transition showcased the adaptability of the historical building to meet contemporary needs while preserving its architectural integrity.
In 2021, the institute entered a new chapter as it began redevelopment to become Catherine McAuley College Mackay, a Catholic secondary school. The school officially opened its doors on February 22, 2022, and has since expanded with the addition of four more buildings as of 2024. Unfortunately the new buildings have not been bult in sympathy or similar style to the original building. Two more buildings and a full cohort of students are expected to join the institute by 2027, marking a significant transformation from a research facility to an educational hub.
The Mackay Sugar Research Institute’s rich history, architectural significance, and adaptive transformations reflect its enduring legacy in the Australian sugar industry. From its inception in 1953 to its current role as an educational institution, the institute stands as a symbol of resilience and evolution, shaping its identity to meet the changing needs of the times.
References
- “Sugar Research Institute & Residence (entry 602642)”. Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council.
- “Institute is symbolic of 80 years progress”. Daily Mercury. 22 August 1953. p. 6. via National Library of Australia.
- “Opening of sugar Research Institute At Mackay”. Townsville Daily Bulletin 27 August 1953 Page3, via National Library of Australia.
- “Sugar Research Institute Formed With Headquarters In Mackay” Daily Mercury, 21st January 1949, Page 3, via National Library of Australia.
- D Van Der Plaat & J MacArthur. 2022.Karl Langer: Modern Architect and migrant in the Australian tropics, Bloomsbury.
- Heritage context study for the Mackay City Council B, Wright, A, Jacob, R, Dalton, 1999.
- Mackay Revisited. K, Kennedy. 2002.
- Butler, G & Associates, 1994, ‘Mackay Region Heritage Pilot Study, Mackay City Council.