Asia-Pacific Design Library

Ever developing and evolving as a place of exchange for ideas, thought and cultural activities is the State Library of Queensland (SLQ)! Living up to expectations is the announcement for the opening of the Asia Pacific Design Library - set to be a dynamic and flexible place for those thirsty for all facets of design...

"...The State Library of Queensland, through the Asia Pacific Design Library, aims to develop the best publicly accessible collection of design resources in the Asia Pacific, promoting contemporary thought and analysis on design in the region.

With lectures, exhibitions, research support, studios, publications, events and a strengthened focus on design collections, the State Library will be a hub for design resources and design activity as well as a trusted archive for records of historical and contemporary Queensland design and designers.

Through strengthened investment in design collections, a bespoke Design Lounge, Design On-line and a rich program of design activity the Asia Pacific Design Library will bring a new focus for partnerships amongst leading designers and institutions. Collection development, research support, publications, exhibitions and events will concentrate especially on design of the public realm, digital design, fashion, design of books and products for better living and design – led business and practice."
- about APDL SLQ

Kurilpa Bridge

Kurilpa Bridge. How cool does it look?


Mixed reactions from the range of people that I talk to, and it's hard to make a generalisation about what kind of people find it attractive and what kind of people don't.

Perhaps it's a tall poppy thing, but it seems as though anything new in the public realm in Brisbane that draws attention to itself gets criticized for not looking like a normal building, or not looking like a normal bridge.

"I don't like all those spiky bits" they say. "Are those things going to stay there? It doesn't look like they're supposed to be there"

I remember people saying the same thing about Brisbane Square. One of my lecturers said, "it's dated, and its not even finished yet." Sure, I mean the primary coloured geometric thing has been done before in other places, but not in Brisbane. I think that Brisbane Square really adds something positive to the fabric of the city, a city in which mediocrity has reigned supreme for the last half-century.

The same goes for the Kurilpa Bridge. Sure, its different, and it will take the untrained eye some time to get used to, and one day an oversized truck might clip the underside of it, forcing it to fling back like a mouse trap and crush GOMA, catapulting unfortunate passengers into the middle of West End. At the end of the day though, it too adds something really positive to the city, a dedicated pedestrian link to the new cultural hub of Brisbane, and I think this is a good thing.

Plus, I can't wait to see it lit up at night. It's going to look unreal.

I think that ventures like this encourage public debate about what is good design, and raise the bar for the future at the same time. Some designers and laypeople alike might rag on it, because its such an easy target. But sometimes you need to stir the pot a little bit to get people moving, and Brisbane has been waiting for a few projects like this to stir the pot for a very long time.

City Fringe Exhibition "Phoebe"

I think James Sreet is an eclectic and vibrant street that just keeps developing, both physically and culturally!

Last week, the James Street 'newcomber', Small Australian Projects (SAP) opened its design exhibition series, 'On Show', with a lighting exhibition by local designer Peter Harding.

All sourced images: Christina Cho

It was a simple and well executed night with all the right ingredients... Live Jazz, good New Zealand wine and a collection of vibrant people.

"Brisbane is a very happening young design community and a fantastic place from which to work and get your ideas out there.

The support for the launch and the product itself was really exciting. It will be interesting now to see where Phoebe roams!”

Peter Harding 2009