We are lucky enough (!) to have the construction of the air filter tower for the new North /South Brisbane bypass tunnel happening before our eyes. The ireckon office is directly across the road from the giant concrete structure, and for more than 12 months we’ve watched it grow from a hole in the ground to the overpowering monstrosity that it now is.

Like a proud Aunt I have been keeping my eye on the work in anticipation of what was going to come of it. First I was excited when it finally poked up from behind the construction fence – a glimpse of what was to come, seeing some initial results. We experienced more drilling and building, cranes were brought in and hi-vis started appearing at a higher rate than ants at a picnic. Finally, with the construction nearing its end, I stood back and realised that after all the hard work that has been put in – the thing looks hideous.

We spoke in the office about what the plans might be to try and help the ‘water tank on steroids’ blend more easily with the skyline. We thought about what colours they might paint it, the possibility of hiding it with creeping vines, I even jokingly suggested at one point that they should paint it to look like it was built from Leggo blocks. We were way off.

One day they began placing what looked like white ladders of differing sizes all over one side. The climbing vine idea then became the front runner for what they had in-store for our new neighbour. After a few more days, and more white ladders, different sized purple and white slats began creeping in, looking like they had been slid in place on these ‘ladders’. I am now greeted by the following sight when I arrive at work each morning.

So... I have started to accept our ugly neighbour. Although I have now become increasingly curious about the series of events that led to a massive concrete filter tower being covered with white and purple slats.

Scenario 1: The slats were leftovers from the construction of the next ‘Big’ to take over from the Big Banana - The ‘Big Block of Cadburys’.

Scenario 2: An eccentric urban designer somewhere has somehow actually managed to get this idea approved, and is now looking for a new job.

Scenario 3: The colours purple and white were heavily discounted, and the person in charge of fixing them to the filter tower is colour blind.

Furthermore, the slats are not equal in size, they are not symmetrical or lined up, and in fact they seem to follow absolutely no pattern whatsoever. Perhaps they should have gotten one of our designers to offer their thoughts.