Allison Testing Stands Heritage Impact Report

A report for TradeCoast Central

March 2010

Thom Blake Historian

1 Foch Street Ashgrove Qld 4060 t 33661177 f 33663178 e [email protected]

© Thom Blake Historian 2010

Version: 30 March 2010 BA922R01 Introduction The Allison Testing Stands are located at Eagle Farm on the site of the former . The site is currently being redeveloped as a industrial/commercial precinct. The Allison Testing Stands were erected in 1942 as a facility for test- ing aircraft engines that had been overhauled or repaired for use by the United States Air Force. The facility closed just prior to the end of World War II in 1945 and been substantially unused since that time. The site is entered on the Heritage Register (no 602329). The Allison Testing Stands Conservation Management Plan was under- taken by Riddel Architecture in 2006.1 This report should be read in conjunction with the Conservation Management Plan. TradeCoast Central have been responsible for the redevelopment of the former Eagle Farm airport and propose to adapt the Allison Test- ing Stands for commercial/retail use.

1 History of the Allison Testing Stands The Allison Testing stands were erected in 1942 within the Eagle Farm airfield. The airfield was established in 1922 when the Commonwealth government acquire land at Eagle Farm. Due to problems with flood- ing and drainage, the Eagle Farm airfield was closed in 1930 and a new airfield was opened at Archerfield. Eagle Farm was reactivated in the late 1930s as a training facility when World War II loomed. When the United States entered the war in December 1941 following the bombing of Pearl Harbour by the Japanese Air Force, Eagle Farm suddenly became strategically important as an airfield. The USAAF established a major base at Eagle Farm resulting in the construction of two sealed runaways and a range of other facilities. Eagle Farm also became the site of a facility for testing aircraft engines that had been overhauled or repaired. The USAAF 81st Air Depot Group, which was based at Eagle Farm, had responsibility for the overhaul and maintenance of aircraft being deployed in the Pacific region. The overhaul of engines was subcon- tracted to civilian firms such as General Motors Holden. GMH undertook this work at nearby their factory at Albion. Because of the noise generated by the engines when being tested, testing had to be undertaken away from residential areas. A site adjacent to Eagle Farm airfield on Schneider Road was selected to build a testing facil- ity. The first stage of the testing facility was completed by November 1942 and comprised six open air stands. Two brick-enclosed stands were

1 Riddel Architecture, Former Allison Testing Stands Eagle Farm Conservation Management Plan, A report for TradeCoast Central, 2006.

Allison Testing Stands Heritage Impact Report 1 added in 1943 and another two open-air stands later in the year. A warehouse and latrines were also erected on the site. The facility was known as the Allison Test Stands as it was the Allison engine was that almost exclusively tested on the site. The facility was fully operational by mid 1943 and was in use until the latter part of 1944. When the 81st Air Depot Group relocated to in April 1994, the overhauling of Allison engines in was phased out. After the war, the testing stands were left vacant. The warehouses were used for a period by the RAAF. The warehouses and latrines were sub- sequently demolished. The northern enclosed stand was later partially infilled with two concrete block wall for storage, possibly in the 1960s. The site has been unused for more than twenty years since the reloca- tion of the Eagle Farm airport.

2 The Testing Stands today The principal elements of the Testing Stands are: Southern open-air testing stands

These testing stands comprise a concrete platform with five concrete blades and an additional testing area with one blade at ground level at the southern end. Enclosed testing areas

The enclosed testing facility are the most prominent on the site. They comprise two brick and concrete buildings connected by a small con- trol room. Externally both buildings have large concrete ribs on the roof. The southern building remains with openings on both ends with the original transom and some original framing. The northern building has a later concrete block wall on the western opening and also a later internal wall. Evidence of the sound proofing remains in fixings and timber framing Northern open-air testing stand

The northern testing stand comprise an upright concrete blade, a con- crete control room and a blade that had became detached from its foot- ings. The site

Redevelopment of the former Eagle Farm airport has resulted in sig- nificant changes around the site of the testing stands. The ground level of a substantial are of the former airport has been raised substantially to address issues of drainage and flood mitigation. The area surround- ing the testing stands beyond the heritage boundary is now up to two metres higher than when the testing stands were erected.

Allison Testing Stands Heritage Impact Report 2 Figure 1 Allison Testing Stands, southern open air stands with enclosed facility at rear

Figure 2 Allison Testing Stands with northern stands on left, enclosed facilities and southern open-air stands

Allison Testing Stands Heritage Impact Report 3 Figure 3 Enclosed testing facilities, western elevation Figure 4 Enclosed testing facilities, eastern elevation

Figure 5 Northern testing stand and control room Figure 6 Inteior of northern enclosed testing facility

Allison Testing Stands Heritage Impact Report 4 3 Cultural Heritage Significance of Allison Testing Stands The Allison Testing Stands is entered on the Queensland Heritage Reg- ister as place with heritage values of significance to the state. The state- ment of significance notes that the site is significant in

• demonstrating the period of rapid mobilisation of available resources in Queensland in 1942-43 for the Pacific theatre; • as a rare example of a fixed aircraft engine testing facility; • for its association with the civilians who were involved with the Air- craft Production Commission and were involved in the overhauling of aircraft engines. The rarity of the Allison Testing Stands cannot be overestimated. They are significant not only as testing stands but also as evidence of specific facilities constructed in Brisbane as part of the Pacific campaign. Al- though numerous purpose-built structures and facilities were erected throughout Brisbane for the war effort, many have either been demol- ished or substantially altered. In particular, structures and sites that so clearly articulate their original function are now rare. The Allison Testing Stands is one of this small group that demonstrate a significant chapter in the history of Brisbane.

4 Proposed development TradeCoast Central propose to adapt the Allison Testing Stands as commercial offices and cafe. The proposal is documented in accompanying drawings prepared by Sparc (Proposed Allison testing beds drawings) The design approach is to retain almost all of the existing fabric with minimal changes to adapt for the new use. Southern enclosed testing facility

The southern enclosed testing facility is to adapted for use as a cafe Proposed alterations and additions include: • infill of the eastern and western walls with full height glazing • new glazed entry to existing opening on northern side • new opening on southern wall to provide access to outdoor din- ing area • infill of existing high level opening on northern wall • roofed screen structure on western end to shade interior • suspended timber floor throughout. Northern enclosed testing facility

This facility is to be adapted for use as offices. Proposed alterations and additions include: • removal of existing concrete block wall and internal walls • infill of eastern and western walls with full height glazing

Allison Testing Stands Heritage Impact Report 5 • suspended timber flooring • steel portal frame structure on western end for shade • new entry on southern wall • new openings on northern wall with window hoods to provide views and light • internal partitions for offices • internal stairs • infill of openings on southern wall. Space between enclosed facilities

The space between the two enclosed facilities is to be enclosed and adapted. • removal of control room between the two buildings (this struc- ture has been severely damaged by tree growth and is structur- ally unsound) • new bathroom facilities, cold room and store in area between the two buildings • change in floor level to demarcate location of original control room • lightweight metal deck roof • entrance foyer with aluminium glazed framing • rear end enclosed with timber framed and FC cladding • interpretation panel on the significance of the site in entrance foyer. Southern open-air stands

This area is to be adapted for outdoor dining. The vertical concrete blades are to be left freestanding. The principal additions are: • raised timber deck above the existing concrete base • lightweight metal deck over • transparent sheet and timber screen at rear of blades. Northern open-air stand and control room

This stand and control room are to be relocated approximately 20 m west of the existing location. A carpark is required to service the com- plex and the number of spaces is constrained by the access road and site boundary. The original location of the stand and control room will be marked with change of colour in the carpark surface. Landscaping and grounds

A carpark with 31 bays and a loading dock is to be located to the north of the enclosed facility. The area to the east of the southern stands is to be landscaped with lawn and shrubs. The area to the west of the southern stands is to be a retention pond.

Allison Testing Stands Heritage Impact Report 6 5 Impact of proposed development on significance of place Adapting the Allison Testing Stands for another use is a challenge. As a complex built for a very specific purpose, it does not lend itself to be easily adapted for another use. For TradeCoast Central, the easy solution would be simply to fence the site and leave the testing stands alone. While the structures are in reasonable condition, they do require main- tenance. TradeCoast Central are committed to conserving the site and by adapting the structures, the conservation is assured while the site is put to a new use. The 2006 Allison Testing Stands Conservation Management Plan contains two key policies on the adaptation of the site. Policy 8 provides guide- lines for new structures with the enclosed testing stands and Policy 9 provides guidelines for adaptation of the 1942 open air stands. The proposed adaptation is in accordance with these policies. Importantly, the proposed adaptation has a minimal impact on the ex- isting fabric. Most of the new work is constructed over or within the existing structures and elements. Later additions of no significance are to be removed. The new work is clearly distinguished as new and there is no ambigu- ity of it being confused with the original. Moreover, it interfaces with the existing fabric lightly and assists in the preservation of original fabric. Visually, the most significant changes on the site are the portal frame structures on the western ends enclosed testing facilities and the metal deck roof over the southern open-air stands. The additions compli- ment rather than intrude on the existing structures and their form. Intervention or changes to existing fabric is limited to: • Four openings at ground level in the southern enclosed testing facility. These openings are considered necessary for to function- ing of the cafe. • One opening at ground level in the northern enclosed facility. The opening is considered desirable to provide access to the cor- ridor and bathroom facilities. • Three new windows in the northern wall of the northern en- closed facility for light and ventilation. • Demolition of the control room between the two enclosed test- ing facility. This control room had been assessed as structurally unsound by a structural engineer due to major damage from tree roots. While it could be rebuilt, it was considered appropriate to locate bathroom and storage facilities in the corridor and demar- cate the location of the control room with changes in level. Locat- ing the bathroom facilities in the space allows sharing between the offices and cafe and avoids the construction of new facilities outside.

Allison Testing Stands Heritage Impact Report 7 • Relocation of the northern open-air stand and control room. The relocation of this stand and control room is considered neces- sary due to the constraints of the site and the need to provide carparking for 30 vehicles. The question of whether the stand and control room could remain was examined in detail but was not feasible to make the carpark functional given turning circles, site boundaries and the location of the access road from Amy Johnson Place. The critical question is: does the proposed adaptation destroy or sub- stantially diminish the cultural heritage significant of the place? It cer- tainly does not destroy the place as almost all the fabric remains unal- tered. It could be argued that the proposed changes, particularly the additions, impact on understanding or interpreting the place. How- ever, this is a site where its original function is not clearly evident. As a ‘one-off’, interpretation is necessary to understand its function and significance. The additions, because they are clearly contemporary, do not confuse a reading of the place. Importantly, interpretative panels are to be displayed prominently in the entrance foyer. The intervention into existing fabric is limited and on balance, given that this adaptation conserves the site, is a desirable outcome. Further- more, it is important to emphasis that the proposal adaptation is high- ly reversible as it impacts only minimally on original fabric. Even the northern control room and stand could be relocated to their original location.

6 Summary The proposed adaptation of the Allison Testing Stands is an acceptable solution that does not compromise or diminish the cultural heritage significance of the place. The proposal has a minimal impact on the original fabric and will assist its conservation. A benefit of this proposal is that it will make the site accessible to the public. As part of the Eagle Farm airport, access was very restricted. The adaptation to the offices and a cafe will provide for easy public access and along with the proposed interpretative panel, provide the opportunity to understand and appreciate the significance of the site. Importantly, the key elements of the significance of the site are main- tained with this proposed adaptation. It remains as a rare example of a World War II aircraft engine testing facility and evidence of the de- velopment of infrastructure in Brisbane to support the war effort in the Pacific campaign.

Allison Testing Stands Heritage Impact Report 8