It was designed by Queensland Department of Public Work (involving Andrew Baxter Leven, Nigel Laman Thomas, and Harold James Parr) and built from 1930 to 1939.

It retains a Depression-era brick school building (1934–1936), constructed as a Depression-era work project, which is an aesthetically pleasing landmark in the streetscape; and landscaped grounds including retaining walls (c. 1936 and pre-1960), a parade ground (1934–1936), tennis court (1939) with tennis shed (pre-1946), a playing field (1932), a World War II (WWII) memorial dedicated to The Rats of Tobruk, and mature trees.

This further standardised the provision of education, and despite difficulties, achieved the remarkable feat of bringing basic literacy to most Queensland children by 1900.

Schools became a community focus, a symbol of progress, and a source of pride, with enduring connections formed with past pupils, parents, and teachers.

From the 1860s until the 1960s, Queensland school buildings were predominantly timber-framed, an easy and cost-effective approach that also enabled the government to provide facilities in remote areas.

Standard designs were continually refined in response to changing needs and educational philosophy and Queensland school buildings were particularly innovative in climate control, lighting, and ventilation.

[27] In mid-1932 unemployed men working under the government's relief scheme were employed at Ithaca Creek State School levelling its newly purchased grounds.

[30][31][32][20][21][22][33][34][1] Many of the programmes have had lasting beneficial effects for the citizens of Queensland, including the construction of masonry brick school buildings across the state.

Most were designed in a classical idiom as this projects the sense of stability and optimism which the government sought to convey through the architecture of its public buildings.

The construction of substantial brick school buildings (E/B1) in prosperous or growing suburban areas and regional centres during the 1930s provided tangible proof of the government's commitment to remedy the unemployment situation.

The plan arrangement was similar to that of timber buildings being only one classroom deep, accessed by a long straight verandah or corridor.

Due to their long plan forms of multiple wings, they could be built in stages if necessary; resulting in some complete designs never being realised.

Classrooms were commonly divided by folding timber partitions and the undercroft was used as covered play space, storage, ablutions and other functions.

[36][1] Despite their similarities, each Depression-era brick school building was individually designed by a DPW architect, which resulted in a wide range of styles and ornamental features being utilised within the overall set.

These styles, which were based on contemporary tastes and fashions, included: Arts and Crafts, typified by half-timbered gable-ends; Spanish Mission, with round-arched openings and decorative parapets; and Neo-classical, with pilasters, columns and large triangular pediments.

[38] Other DPW architects involved in the design of Ithaca Creek State School were Nigel Laman Thomas and Harold James Parr.

Estimated Cost, £9,388 (In progress) This building, which is the first section of a scheme to accommodate 1,000 pupils, is constructed of brick with concrete foundation and fibrolite slate roof.

The basement floor [undercroft] comprises lavatory recommendation for girls for the whole school and has play area, fitted with seats and drinking taps.

[57] A metal-framed, concrete walkway was added as a connection to the southern wing of the Block A when a two-storey brick building was constructed in 2009.

[1] Ithaca Creek State School occupies a large site within the hilly terrain of Bardon, a residential suburb northwest of Brisbane CBD.

Facing Lugg Street to the west, the sloping site is bounded to the north, south and east by residential properties.

The northern and southern wings have three large classrooms (formerly four) on the ground and first floors; terminated at the eastern end by storage rooms and enclosed stairs.

Most classrooms and offices have plaster walls, timber-framed floors covered in modern carpet, and flat sheeted ceilings with dark-stained timber battens.

A set of early timber folding doors is retained in a classroom on the ground floor of the northern wing, which is rare.

Metal hooks are retained at the door head height, and a timber seat is built into the southern wall of the eastern space.

[1] An Honour Board (1947) is located in the foyer of Block A, listing the names of former students who served in World War II (WWII).

[1] The substantial Depression-era brick school building is a highly-intact, excellent example of its type and retains a high degree of integrity.

Through its substantial size, high quality materials, face brick exterior, elegant formal composition and decorative treatment, the Depression-era brick school building at Ithaca Creek State School has aesthetic significance due to its expressive attributes, which evoke the sense of progress and permanence that the Queensland Government sought to embody in new public buildings in that era.

[1] The building's assertive massing, classically influenced design, and elegant composition contribute to its dignified streetscape presence, and contrast with the surrounding small-scale residences.

They typically retain significant and enduring connections with former pupils, parents, and teachers; provide a venue for social interaction and volunteer work; and are a source of pride, symbolising local progress and aspirations.