1960s Sub Station - Launceston

There are several fascinating sub stations from the 20th Century in Tasmania.  This one is surrounded by bush and has several interesting 1960s period features including the railings, the glass curtain wall and bricks. I reckon it would make a wonderful home!

ANZAC Park Ulverstone - Mid Century design everywhere!

ANZAC park in Ulverstone has some fascinating structures, including 1970s spaceships!  I remember these kinds of play structures fondly growing up as a child.  They were in many local parks, until they suddenly disappeared, assuming due to "health and safety" issues...or maybe they took off to another planet!

Some time ago the spaceship was removed from ANZAC park and the 1930's bridge beside the park was demolished for a new bridge.  The tall spaceship was removed whilst the round one sat in the middle of construction, I thought the worst for both the spaceships.  Thankfully upon the reopening of the bridge the space structures returned and both had a lick of paint in which they were in desperate need of.  Sadly you can no longer climb the spaceships as they have been locked.  The park also got a makeover as well, with new grass and play equipment.

The park has a water feature and the dramatic memorial concrete staircase with work commending in 1968 and completed in 1970.  15,740 feet of reinforcing steel were used and 150 cubic yards of concrete.  Designed and constructed by the Ulverstone tourist and progress association 2,542 hours of labour given.  I like the dramatic sprawl of the stairs that leads your eyes down to the fountain and outwards to the Leven river.  The massive use of concrete in both the staircase and fountain optimise the Modernist period with the use of concrete a popular choice of building material.  I really like the entry arch and ANZAC logo are also nice design elements.

I have not seen the water fountain in operation before, it would be nice to know if it was operational again.  It was officially opened in 1973 and is of a dramatic and large size, fitting as you walk down the sprawling concrete staircase.

A very interesting park full of mid century design elements that make ANZAC park a worthy visit for any Modernist enthusiast!

Hayes Prison Farm Photography Project

[To view all the photos from the project visit www.tryanphotos.com/projects]

I've always been fascinated by buildings and their social history and enjoy documenting 20th century sites in order to have a visual record of them and share them on my blog and website. The State Government operated Hayes minimum security Prison farm began operating in the late 1930's with the Government closing the complex down late last year saying it was due to maintenance costs that would needed to have been carried out costing around $4.5 million.

What I had initially had planned to do was document the two level 1960s cell room buildings, but when getting to the site it was then that I got a real feel for the sheer vastness of the site, the property size was approximately 600 hectares with several farming and other outbuildings.  I wanted to capture the site and highlight the interconnectedness that the prison buildings had within the working prison landscape.

It was a crisp autumn morning that I headed off in the dark from Hobart.  The first light of the morning was beginning to paint the clouds hues of orange and pink before the sun made it’s first appearance over the distant hills. Upon entering the site there were a series of farm outbuildings, the morning light baking them in a golden hue, offset by the dry warm tones of the dry summer grass.

The 1960s two level complex is shaped like a clam-shell  with the administration buildings on one side and a two storey 70 cell complex on the other. As I entered the main complex the walls have been painted depicting the river Derwent and valley set amongst poplar trees, a scene still common to this region. Their leaves go a bright yellow in autumn as depicted on the painting. 

The cell rooms are small and there are still reminders of its days of operation with bed frames still in some of the rooms.Whilst the site had closed down before the summer, nature had already started to take over with weeds growing out of the asphalt that formed the basketball court, cobwebs took over the crevices of walls and doors and birds making their homes in the disused glass houses. 

There were many interesting out-buildings including a vegetable processing plant, glass houses, piggery, cow milking sheds, and quarry all providing traces of memories of the once operating prison farm. One of the most interesting buildings was the meeting area for families to visit that was set amongst deciduous trees with a series of 17 sitting booths that were painted depicting cartoon characters and landscape scenes.

To view my project of the former Hayes Prison farm visit www.tryanphotos.com/projects

Harris' retail shop Deloraine

This was taken before prior to the Harris' retail shop in Deloraine closing down.  I really like the honeycomb webbing design on the the front of the building, as well as the black tiles, very interesting design.  The building is on the market, so it will be interesting to see if the original webbing design will be retained.

Check me out on Facebook "Thomas Ryan Photography"

Check out my new Facebook page "Thomas Ryan Photography".  I will be posting news of my latest major projects including Tasmanian 20th Century architecture & Design as well as my other photographic ventures.  Maybe you need a photographer for that next project or event?  Check it out and "like" my page to be notified of my latest happenings.  www.facebook.com/tryanphotos

Post War Housing - Launceston

Here is an interesting example of Post War housing in Launceston.  Thanks to a reader for pointing this home out to me!  Check out the timber framing on the facade and how it angles.  I've seen this style before but not used in such an interesting and different way before.  Love the original fence and the colour of brick work too.

"Tk8" - Devonport petrolium tank

I love abstract patterns and shapes....especially love staircases too!  This petrol storage tank in Devonport is one such example that always captures my eyes and lens!  Love the staircase and the shadows it forms on the white exterior, as well the the Tk8 logo.

State Library of Tasmania heritage listed (Glass + Brutalism)

The State Library of Tasmania located in Hobart city has been recognised for its heritage values and has been listed on the state heritage register.  The listing applies to two distinct buildings that form the State library, the glass curtain wall design (1962) and the Brutalist concrete tower (1972).

The buildings are both very interesting examples of their respective styles. The glass curtain wall building must have been a real eye opener when it was designed.  Similarly the concrete tower in 1972 would have been on of Hobart's tallest buildings, and today would still rate as one of its tallest.

I like how 50 years on that the glass panels look so clean as if they were erected yesterday.  They make wonderful abstract reflections for photographs, capturing the buildings aesthetic qualities.  The 1962 building houses the main public library lending area, whilst the 1972 tower is home to the library archive material.  I have always thought it quite fitting that the Brutalist archive tower block is housed is in this style, it's like a bunker protecting the priceless materials within.

The 1962 glass curtain wall was designed by Melbourne architect, John Scarborough.  Something I love about photographing buildings is viewing a designers other buildings and seeing their similar links.  Scarborough designed another wonderful library in Hobart, the Morris Miller Library at the University of Tasmania. Both have interesting interior details, whilst the glass paneling on the Morris Miller Library is red.  I have been undertaking special projects on both libraries, and will bring more of my photos and archive material to my blog in the future.

I have a love for staircases and the 1962 State Library doesn't disappoint. The first thing you witness as you enter the library is the "floating" staircase.  It's an amazing structure in itself as is the original 1960s clock that still works today!  The main lending area is an open space, and the feeling of lightness and sunlight from all directions is totally apparent as you walk up the stairs to the first floor.  These glass curtain wall buildings are great for a cold climate like Hobart as they let the natural light into the building.  Great news that two 20th Century buildings in Tasmania have been recognised for their heritage values to the State.

I love these buildings so much that the 1972 building has been the main photograph on my twitter account, check it out at

https://twitter.com/20centurymodern

Portfolio published in Australian Photography + Digital magazine

My photographic portfolio has been published in the February edition of Australian Photography + Digital magazine.  The submission involved submitting a series of photographs underpinned by a theme, in my case architecture. Spread over four pages the buildings I photographed are predominantly from the 20th Century in Tasmania. A fish and chip shop, commercial buildings, educational, hospitals......Australian Photography + Digital is in newsagents around Australia.

Here is just a selection of some of my photographs that featured in the magazine:

Holyman House, Launceston

Don College, Devonport 

10 Murray Street Government Offices, Hobart

Striking Modernist Home - Devonport

Love this Modernist home in Devonport, the original windows have been replaced, but the overall aesthetic of geometric lines remain strong to the original design.  Love the banding on the lower and second floors.

Tasmanian suburbia - Mowbray commercial buildings

I love the suburbs, this photograph I took is in the main shopping strip in the suburb of Mowbray, Launceston.  Most of the buildings are one level high, with many having been built in the the mid 20th century, originally when these buildings were designed they were used as a grocery shop and butcher.

Windmill Hill Memorial Hall - Launceston

Windmill Hill Memorial Hall is one of many Art Deco designed buildings to be found in Launceston.  The building is on the highest point of windmill hill, with views over Launceston city. I enjoy the fact that there are so many Modernist halls dotted around Tasmania, with such buildings providing many uses for public functions and events to this day.

Toilet Block - A functional wall for a functional purpose

Shall we say a functional privacy wall for a functional purpose?! I just love the brickwork from the 20th century, the textures and patterns of the brick from then is wonderful.  Who would have thought that the everyday brick would be a rarity, these days take a look around at most new buildings, bricks are rarely used these days.

"Valetta" Art Deco residence, Devonport - Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!  Thanks for dropping by and checking out my passion that is documenting 20th Century architecture and design in Tasmania.  I have some very exciting new projects coming up in 2013, stay tuned!

I was looking for a post to greet 2013, and the #297th post and came across this one in my collection. What a striking arched glass frontage this home has, also love the brick colour as well as the well maintained lawn.

Mid Century Tasmanian Home

There are so many interesting mid century homes throughout Tasmanian towns and cities, including this one.  I enjoy the wonderfully shaped fence and the formality of the home as well as the angled roof.

Tasman Bridge, Hobart

The Tasman Bridge in Hobart arches over the River Derwent connecting the city to the eastern shore.  The Brutalist designed bridge was opened in the early 1960s. The Modernist period produced a vast number of Modernist architecture, in which my blog highlights.

Art Deco T&G Building Hobart

I love to scout vantage points for the iconic Modernist buildings that I love, this one being the wonderful Art Deco T&G building in Hobart.  The buildings may remain in the same place, but seeking vantage points allows a different perspective on a familiar scene.  

Sheffield State School

I captured this photograph of Sheffield State School in the late evening light.  Schools are often like cities in miniature, possessing an array of different styles of building design as they grow and get extended.  Sheffield State School has several different periods of buildings, including this building which looks circa Post War, the typography on the top left is really interesting.

Take me back to the 1960s!

Sometimes you walk around and find some fascinating intact examples of Modernist design.  This is a case in point, an elevator compete with veneer door paneling and original floor tiles!  Take me back to the 1960s!

North Launceston Bowls Club 1960s style

The 1960s designed North Launceston Bowls Club, in the suburb of Mowbray portrays many traits of Post War design craftsmanship and style. The brickwork toning in 20th century bricks is so stylish, so many shades.