Domestic work
Hall & Dods sought tenders for at least 200 houses which ranged from modest cottages built for rental or investment, to first quality homes for business owners, rural homesteads for graziers and suburban villas for those from the professions. Robin Dods had strong views on how to improve the Queensland house as it existed and introduced a number of innovations which were subsequently taken up by others.
Hall & Dods.Half inch details of proposed Villa Residence,Auchenflower, Brisbane for Wm Davies Esq. (sheet 4, 1/2 inch details)October 1904, John Oxley Library State Library of Queensland 27671/173
He was able to show that building with wood could yield finely crafted results for less cost. A better response to climate achieved by orientation and simplified planning to allow cross ventilation, generous roof spaces which were ventilated, robust structural elements and sparing use of decoration were just some of the differences. Others involved the use of new materials such as terra cotta tiles on the roof, dark stained timber with white or cream trim and a distinctive aesthetic which was fresh and unfamiliar, even avant garde. Few in Queensland had sufficient funds to build, other than modestly, but nevertheless an admirable standard was achieved by the firm and its example remains relevant, even today.
Davies House
Former butcher William Davies, who made his fortune on the Gympie goldfields, commissioned several designs for a new home in Brisbane. Dods’ design demonstrated his approach to a first quality residence, to be built in roughcast brick with a terracotta roof. The project was fully designed and detailed, with estimates prepared, but the design was rejected in favour of a more conservative work by Claude Chambers. The completed house became known as Raymont Lodge and is today occupied by the Uniting Church. This project was the most ambitious and expensive house designed by Dods during his career.
Unbuilt, competition11 - This procedure is often used to generate new ideas for the building design, to stimulate public debate, to generate publicity for the project and allow emerging designers the opportunity of gaining exposure. - Architectural design competition, Wikipedia
Last updated: 14th December 2011
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