GSA Guide - Mineral House Claimed

This unlikely building won a place in building history in 1979 having been completed in a record 18 months and holding the title of the largest office block in Queensland.

History

The building project was initiated in late 1976 and replaced the demolished E.S.C.A building and the adjoining Hotel Cecil. Mineral House was purpose built for Queensland Government to house the Queensland Department of Mines. It was officially opened on the 25th of July 1979 by Mr R.E.Camm M.L.A., the Minister for Mines, Energy and Police.

The building accommodated more than 2000 public servants in six departments - Mines, Works, Forestry, Water Resources, Welfare Services and Primary Industries. The building has a steel and concrete construction. At the time the most economical way of achieving sun control was by the use of double glazed windows with venetian blinds between the glass sheets on all faces.

The building was orientated diagonally across the site to reduce exposure to east-west sunlight using solid walls, so most windows face north or south.

Building stones

There is little building stone within the Mineral House. The entry area and small retaining wall at the George and