Built in 1959 and designed by prominent architect James Birrell, Centenary Pool in Spring Hill is characterised by its sleek curved kiosk raised above the ground.

Artist Paul Davies depicts the monolithic architecture of the pool complex in his painting Centenary Pool Brisbane, Yellow/Grey (2008). The painting, like the pool’s design, corresponds to West Coast American modernist style, suggesting the influence of global design movements on Brisbane during the mid-20th century.

Now on the Queensland Heritage Register, until the 1980s Centenary Pool was the primary competitive swimming pool in Brisbane, a result of a boom in the sport following the country’s swimming success at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. This era saw many council pools built, including a redesign of Toowong Pool, also by James Birrell, which was demolished in 2001. Today there are 22 council swimming pools across the city.