Architectural drawings, photographs and some associated records relating to the design and construction of the Torbreck residential complex at Highgate Hill, Brisbane. The Torbreck complex was constructed in 1958-1960, and was the first multistoreyed home unit development in Queensland. Rising prominently from the crest of Highgate Hill, Torbreck comprises 150 units spread across an eightstorey garden block and a fourteen-storey tower block, surrounded by landscaped gardens on a one and a half acre site. The complex was designed by Queensland architects A.H. Job and R.P. Froud, whose design ideas and innovative use of old and new materials were adaptations of the post-war International Style, in particular the North American model. At the time of its conception, Torbreck received support from the Queensland Government which considered high-density residential developments of this kind as one possible solution to Brisbane’s emerging suburban sprawl. After construction, the project’s developer, Torbeck Pty Ltd (later Torbreck Home Units Ltd), retained company title over the units. Unit owners became share holders in the company to the value of their unit’s purchase price, an arrangement that has persisted despite the introduction of the more popular strata title option in 1965. Torbreck remains substantially intact and continues to rank as one of Brisbane’s most prominent architectural landmarks.

Accounts book, photocopies of architectural drawings; architectural photos; 35mm slides; black and white photographs; scrapbook with press clippings, lecture notes, plans and photographs; office diary; black and white transparencies of architectural plans in cardboard mounts.

Drawings of residential and commercial buildings.

Working drawings 1 to 3, 5-9 and one unnumbered, drawing by EJH, Apr 1975.

Sketches for sections and sketch plan, drawing numbers 2 and 3, drawn by RLT, Oct 1974.

New Residence drawing, working drawing number 9 of floor and site plans, drawn by GHP, for Glengarry Investments, Sep 1972. Accompanied by two preliminary working drawings, drawn by GHP, drawing numbers 4 and 6, 15 May 1972

Undated, no title block. Architects: Hayes and Scott.

Undated, no title block. Architects: Hayes and Scott. Sheets 1-2 of 2.

Undated, no title block. Architects: EJ Hayes and CR Scott. Eight pencil architectural drawings which are of the Jacobi house, with the details of the title of the drawings blacked out.

Drawing numbers 1-2 with sketch plans for floor plan, and elevations and sections, drawing by AA, 6 Nov 1970.