Art Deco urinal given streamline Modernist treatment

This stainless steel streamline urinal is a fascinating period design as it incorporates a wonderful repeating arch pattern.  Design is central to our everyday lives and surrounds us everywhere we go, yet it's often taken for granted and often not given a second thought. This urinal highlights the fact that thought and process was applied to every facet of the Modernist design aesthetic. I love the company logo, "Morgans Radiant" of Melbourne; check out the sunbursts at the corners of the logo as well - the style of this logo and urinal  is wonderful and screams 20th Century aesthetic!

Space Age Modernist design "landed on a highway" - Hobart, Riverfront Motel

Standing on the Derwent River in the outer suburbs of Hobart on the Brooker Highway is an awesome mid century landmark that's hard not to miss due to the arching tubular steel design that towers over the main entrance of the Riverfront Motel.  The sculpture reminds me of the spaceships that were in many children's playgrounds around Australia.

The wonderful yellow painted steel arch design that forms part of the entrance to the Riverfont Motel is an inspirational design along with the 1950s motel. Of equal interest is the neon typeface advertising at the top of the arched structure.

The original interior spaces of the motel  (as pictured below) were lavishly designed in the Modernist style.. The ceiling design of the reception and the dining room features are stunning Post War design features and personal favorites.

J Minty & Co Sheet Metalworkers - Mid 20th Century gem

Some time ago I posted about this wonderful building in Hobart, mentioning its wonderful 1950s designed glass curtain wall.   Another impressive feature that still exists is the neon sign of the company that still runs out of this building. This is a rare treat to find the original neon font still in-tact.  Check out the concrete lipped overhang too, this was used extensively in many buildings of the period in Hobart.  It's small details like these that combine to tell a story of mid century design, and part of our history. 

 

This building is a joy to photograph, standing alone on a busy street and is a rate in-tact building with it's glass curtain wall, concrete lip overhang and wonderful period neon typeface. Everything is just so functional and proportional it makes me want to drool!

"Australian Modern" publication to feature Henty House & Civic Square, Launceston

Some exciting news - a new publication is about to be released titled Australian Modern - Mid 20th Century Design, which will be released nationally in February.

I was invited to produce a story with accompanying photographs relating to the subject of Tasmanian Modernism. My feature story chronicles the history surrounding the Brutalist landmark Henty House and Launceston Civic Square in Northern Tasmania through my research and my photography.

Publisher and creative director of the new publication Chris Osborne writes: "With a resurging interest in all things mid-century, Australian Modern offers a unique retrospective of Australian mid 20th century architecture, design and cultural history. Australian Modern examines the projects, people and style of the period, enlightening readers about the mid-century modern movement and its talented and often overlooked designers. The informative range of topics includes Googie architecture, French fashion, the Goggomobil and Meadmore furniture, also mid 20th century suburban design, and the work of architects of the era. Australian Modern is an independent publication, designed, edited and printed in Brisbane"

An accompanying website http://www.australianmodern.com.au/ has just been launched (one of my black and white photographs of Henty House features on the main page) and contains more information of where to get your copy of Australian Modern via stockists or online.

The landmark Henty House will by given national exposure in Australian Modern via a story and series photographs I produced for the publication.   

AUSTRALIAN MODERN LAUNCH
You’re invited to come and celebrate the launch of Australian Modern. Meet the Australian Modern design team and the contributors, and get your very own copy of Australian Modern ‘hot off the press’ at the various launch events around the country.

AUSTRALIAN MODERN
Mid 20th Century Design
ISBN: 9780980476729 (pbk)
68 Pages RRP $16

LAUNCH EVENT UPDATES

Adelaide Launch: Willunga Art Space, Friday 27 January, High Street. Willunga Ludwik & Wladyslaw Dutkiewicz Exhibition Contact: Adam Dutkiewicz for details  adam@moonarrow.com

Brisbane Launch: Saturday 28 January 8pm, 9 Burchell Street Carina
Bookings and tickets 07 3395 4571 chris@brisbanemodern.com.au

Melbourne Launch: Outre Gallery, Friday 2 March from 7pm, 249 Elizabeth Street. Melbourne
Bookings through Outre Gallery http://outregallery.com/browse.aspx?Category=319
Outre Gallery facebook event http://www.facebook.com/events/213793908711156/

Melbourne In-Store: Angelucci 20th Century, Saturday 3 March from 11am to 1pm,
113 Smith Street. Fitzroy  T: 03 9415 8001  www.angelucci.net.au

Sydney Launch: To be advised (Possibly Thursday 26 April)

Long Beach Bathing Pavilion heritage listed

Modernist Icon - Long Beach Bathing Pavilion heritage listed

The Long Beach Bathing Pavilion designed in 1962 has been recognised for it's heritage values. Located in the Hobart suburb of Sandy Bay it's been officially listed on the has been listed on the Tasmanian heritage register.  Architect, Dirk Bolt. Bolt designed many mid-20th century buildings in Hobart, including 10 Murray Street Government Office tower block approved for demolition.

The use of concrete block in designing the Bathing Pavilion was a typical trait in his designs, evident in several of his other works I've documented photographically around Hobart and in Canberra. The interior of the building is home to Surf Life Saving Tasmania and public toilets.  The original design was to see the building have 2 levels, with the upper deck having being used a restaurant.  The facade of the bathing pavilion has a series of pre-cast concrete panels with abstract illustrations designed by artist, Ron Sinclair. The panels were created on-site, having been cast on the beach fronting the Bathing pavilion

The Brustlist style Bathing Pavilion stands as an important and rate example of its kind in Tasmania. I have done an extensive photographic study of Bolt's designs around Hobart, stay tuned for upcoming posts on some of the wonderful designs I've captured through the lens of his works.

The views from the Long Beach Bathing Pavilion overlooking the River Derwent (on a not so inviting day!)

Tasmania Police Headquarters - Hobart

Tasmania Police Headquarters Building

The Tasmania Police Headquarters circa late 1970s early 1980s is located in Hobart is one of several multi-story buildings dotted around the Hobart CBD.  Whilst Hobart high-rise buildings don't have the height factor compared to other capital cities around Australia the city nonetheless holds several interesting examples and as Tasmania's population is only around 500,000. One could say that for the size of the State office buildings that do exist in Hobart are proportional to its population.

The Tasmania Police Headquarters is located in the CBD and such this intersection is often quite busy with cars and pedestrians cluttering the street.  The day I took this photograph road works were being done all along this road and as such I was able to compose several shots and I liked the different visual impact that road works provided in the overall scene.   The lower entrance of the building is clad with marble and sweeps around the corner of the building in a horizontal fashion, which emphasises the vertical  banding of the rest of the building.

Top 10 Northern Tasmanian Modernist buildings

As mentioned in my previous post, The Examiner newspaper did a feature story about my photography and passion surrounding the documentation of the period in Tasmania.  They asked for a list of my 10 top buildings of Northern Tasmania.  When I complied the my top 10 list, I did so with a building's social, historical and visual appeal in mind.  It was hard to choose just 10, but here are my personal favourites - in no particular order

Holyman House - Launceston

Holyman House is Launceston’s landmark Art Deco building and demonstrates the skills of Launceston born architect Roy Smith who worked in the firm H.S East and Smith. Smith designed many Launceston and Northern Tasmanian Modernist buildings throughout his career.  Holyman House was originally designed and built for the Holyman family's shipping and airline businesses with the ground floor originally home to National Airways. I love the way Holyman House sweeps around the corner of Brisbane and George Streets and your eye leads upwards to the central finial detail that reminds me of a mast of a ship.


Myer Department Store - Launceston

Originally designed for Cox Brothers Department Store, the Myer building was the tallest commercial retail building in Tasmania at the time of its construction. The size and scale of the building highlight the optimism of state development at a time when material shortages and economic uncertainty existed due to a post Second World War environment. The small tiles that clad the curving central facade are a typical trait of mid 20th century design.


Star Theatre - Invermay

Theatres like the former Star Theater in Invermay were popping up all over Australian cities and towns in the the 1930s.  The former Theatre is significant and rare example of Art Deco streamline design being located in the suburbs, not the CBD. The Star had room for around 250 people and it’s interior layout was lavish and modern housing the latest in seating, lighting and sound reproduction.  


Kings Wharf Wool-sheds and Silos - Inveresk

The abandoned Kings Wharf precinct in Launceston is a fascinating reminder of Launceston’s industrial past.  The wool-sheds with their saw-tooth roofs, so typical of Industrial factories, and the dominating wheat silos standing tall over the Tamar River.  Now sad and neglected, their facades tell the story of the cities once bustling Industrial past. When I take photos of this area, I am constantly reminded of what would have been a busy seaport precinct.  If places like the Silos or Wool-sheds are not reused then part of Launceston’s 20th Century Industrial story and heritage would be lost forever.

Magistrates Court - Launceston

The Magistrates Court is of notable interest as it was one of the first Modernist Court buildings in Tasmania. The main facade is adorned with local Tasmanian granite from Ben Lomand.  This was the first time a major building work had used local granite, prior to this most stone was imported from Interstate.  Local timbers and veneers such as Tasmanian Myrtle were used lavishly throughout the court rooms, halls and floors. The building is an important example of sourcing materials locally and illustrates sustainability practices being used in the mid 20th Century.


Don College - Devonport

Don College is one of Tasmania's largest examples of Brutalist architecture. The College was constructed at a time when many other fine examples of Brutalist architecture were emerging such as Henty House Government Offices in Launceston, Reece House Government Offices in Burnie, City Block in Launceston and 10 Murray Street Government Offices in Hobart. Whilst the College is bold in size and appearence, it’s hidden from the main road, amongst bushland and standing beside the Don River.  There are many wonderful geometric angles at Don College and different textures of concrete patterning that are synonymous with Brustlist design that are always fascinating to view and photograph.


Former Devonport Maternity Hospital - Devonport

The wonderful arching curve of the former Devonport Maternity Hospital cannot be mistaken. Constructed in the early 1960s the hospital brought cutting edge modern design and hospital care to Devonport.  The other major Modernist Government hospital for babies in the Northern Tasmania was the former Queen Victoria Hospital in High Street, Launceston. The former Devonport hospital has been abandoned for many years and this neglect serves as a timely reminder of the wastefulness of such buildings and the failure to imaginatively and adaptively reuse these buildings.      


Campbell Town School - Campbell Town

The Campbell Town State School was designed in the late 1930s and is one of many examples of Modernist schools in Tasmania, designed by S W T Blythe. His works for the Public Works Department were prolific and strikingly Modernist in style. The Campbell Town school stands as a visual reminder of the massive undertaking of building public schools in the early to mid 20th century that occurred throughout Tasmanian towns and cities.


Henty House - Launceston

The construction of Launceston’s Civic Square and its Government buildings was one of the largest public funded projects after the Second World War in Tasmania. A major objective in the creation of the Square was to centralise some 90 Government services that were spread around Launceston. Henty House’s qualities are in the form of it’s geometric shapes and angles as well as the wood grain like textures that have been achieved by sandblasting timber into the precast concrete, creating a rich variety of patterns and textures. Henty House and Civic Square as a whole combine Government services, architecture, art and nature as a functionalist public meeting space within the CBD.


Centrepoint Lane - Launceston

This interesting use of green repetitive tiles and letters spelling “Centrepoint” highlight the clarity and simplicity of Modernist design aesthetic in a way that was intended to originally add some glamour to this back alley. Many buildings from the mid 20th Century period would feature repetitive and abstract tiles, patterns or abstract sculptures. The Centrepoint design is fascinating for it’s visual appeal and exciting too because you have to go out of your way to find it’s location.

Northern Tasmanian Modernism to feature in weekend lifestyle magazine

The Examiner newspaper, based in the Northern city of Launceston contacted me recently to do a feature story about my photography and passion surrounding Tasmanian Art Deco & Modernist architecture and design.  The feature story will be in the Sunday Examiner magazine section of the newspaper this Sunday the 8th January.

Stay tuned for a future post where I show my top 10 Northern Tasmania 20th Century buildings that were published in the magazine.

Don College Devonport - Landmark Island Brutalism

Don College is one of Tasmania's largest and most significant Brutalist period buildings.  The staircases create a fortified fortress feel to the design.

Don College is located in the coastal township of Devonport in Northern Tasmania.  It's whereabouts isn't immediately apparent as it's hidden alongside a river, surrounded by bushland.

This school is one of Tasmania's largest examples of Brutalist architecture and is one of the best to be found in Tasmania.  Don College was constructed during the early 1970s, and many other fine examples of Brutalism were emerging in the 60s and 70s in Tasmania including Rosny College, Hobart, Henty House Government Offices in Launceston, Reece House Government Offices in Burnie, City Block in Launceston and 10 Murray Street Government Offices in Hobart.

As you walk down off the main road, and down a series of stairs into Don College, the sheer size and impressive dominance of Don College greets you.  There are so many wonderful geometric angles and different textures of concrete patterning that are synonymous with Brustlist design.

There are several staircases that are able to be viewed externally, allowing the sharp geometric lines of the facade to be broken by the sweeping spiralling pattern of the staircases.. This is one impressive example of Brutalism and I urge anyone with an interest in Modernist 20th Century architecture when visiting the region to check it out.

Happy 2012 and thanks for checking out my blog throughout 2011!

Campbell Town 1960s Library damaged

This circa 1960s building serves as Campbell Town's library and this week it obtained major damage when a car crashed into it. The period features that demonstrate that the building is of 1950-60s design are the timber square panel windows to the far left and right sides of the building, and the use of glass facade panelling. This small example of mid century design highlights that Modernist design spread its wings to all parts of Tasmania.

Modern Fish & Chip Shop wins End of Year Competition

My image of this fish and chip shop in Cardwell, Far North Queensland gained 1st prize in the end of year Digital category at my local camera club.

What the Judge, said...
"Was this taken this year or 1979? The use of effective toning to create a retrospective feel to this photo enhances the image where leaving it as a bright saturated digital image may have completely ruined the feel of the photo. I love how this is a wide angle shot, but there is no reference to modern technology visible at all."

Roberts Rural Supplies - Campbell Town

I love this style of industrial Modernism that's in the township of Campbell Town.  Straight lines and geometric angles provide visual strength as does the use of concrete overhangs in the centre of the building. So 20c Modern, so stylish!

Now search Tasmanian Art Deco & Modernism buildings by a buildings use

It's now easier to view different types of design you may be interested in.  Previously posts were only searchable by the the building town location. Now you can view by a building's use which includes categories such as schools, churches, halls, homes, industrial, and government.  Check out the categories on the right hand side of the blog and let us know what you think!

Campbell Town School - Modernist Gem in a country Tasmanian town

The Campbell Town State School designed in the late 1930s is one of many examples of Modernist schools in Tasmania, designed by S W T Blythe/Public Works Department.  His works were prolific and many examples of his designs still exist around Tasmania today.  His works are strikingly Modernist in style and is considered a pioneer in bringing the first wave of Modernist architecture to Tasmania.

St Catherine's Hall Launceston - Timeless Modernist Design

St Catherine's Hall in Launceston  is a great example of Modernist design style

Community halls sprung up over Australia in the Post War period, and they provide an interesting social history that highlight the importance of halls such as St Catherine's that provided the community with a place to meet for events, functions, dances.  St Catherine's Hall in Launceston is an excellent example of 1950s architecture and it's design qualities are many.  The main entrance is fascinating with the use of a series of angled steel beams, the red brick facade, timber panelling and stone all combine to create a stunning, timeless example of Modernist community hall design.  The "St Catherine's Hall" typeface on the main facade of the building oozes 1950s design style as well. 

Former Royal Derwent Hospital Ward Destroyed by Fire

Many wards at the former Royal Derwent Hospital have been lost by fire over the past couple of years or through demolition for site redevelopment.  The photo of the ward above was demolished soon after this photo was taken. 

The 1950s designed Ward 1 at the historic Royal Derwent Hospital complex was destroyed by fire this week. Fires have destroyed four hospital wards in the past couple of years, with others having been demolished for urban redevelopment. 


The wards that now remain from the mid 20th Century precinct are wards 10 and 12. Ward 10 is privately owned, whilst ward 12 is due to be demolished any-time. They are now the only remaining examples of wards that highlight this period of the hospital's history.


The massive complex that was the Royal Derwent Hospital (1830-2001) was the longest running institution in Australia and pre-dates Port Arthur, with buildings spanning from 1830 through to the 1970s. Georgian, Federation, Art Deco and Modernist buildings all existed on the site when it was sold off, but sadly mismanagement and neglect of the complex has seen many buildings vandalised, demolished or destroyed by fire.  


The 1950s designed western precinct of the former Royal Derwent Hospital highlighted a major shift in providing healthcare for for people with mental illness with it's open-plan layout.


Without the appropriate protection of Modernist buildings at the Royal Derwent Hospital, the diversity and linkage of architectural styles have been lost forever. Tasmania's 19th Century architecture is rightly admired and protected, but there is much catching up to do when it comes to our mid 20th Century architectural heritage. 

To view my photographic project of the former Royal Derwent Hospital click here and view a video of Ward 1 on fire and its demolition click here

Hobart Commonwealth Bank - Orange Glass Curtain Wall

Check this wonderful example of glass curtain wall design in Hobart with its striking use of orange panelling  offset against transparent glass.  The building is home to the Commonwealth Bank and this example is a clear shift away from the use of brick and concrete that was seen prior to the 1960s in many Modernist buildings.

Here we gain a sense of lightness through the use of glass as the dominant feature and thin bands of concrete that draw the eye upwards and offset the abundant use of orange panelling.  As it's one of Hobart's taller buildings it stands out from many vantage points, but the use of vibrant orange probably also has something to do with it being noticeable.  The Commonwealth Bank Building and others like it that sprung up around Hobart during the 1960s and 1970s transformed the cities urban landscape.

Brutalist Lookout Tower - the flexibility of concrete

This wonderfully designed concrete lookout tower in Launceston has several interesting features and really highlights the flexibility of concrete as a design medium. The staircase that spirals around the central concrete column is interesting, and if you take a closer look each stair has repeating circle patterns, some worn out from the many feet that have stood on them over time.   Sadly, as with many Modernist designs, the tower and its surrounds have an abandoned and neglected feel to them, whereas it should be celebrated as a great example of how concrete can be used.

Stay up-to-date with Art Deco & Modernism news @ Twitter

I have created a Twitter account so I can add topical points of interest related to Art Deco & Modernism as news happens. Likewise you can pass on events/points of interest related to Modernism in Tasmania and beyond.   Feel free to follow and pass on to anyone who you think may be interested.  Look for @20centurymodern for my new twitter page.

Spaceship Inspired designed Petrol Station Demolished

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These twin oval shaped designs that formed part of this petrol station in Launceston have been demolished.  Buildings most at risk are those in our recent past - looking back at all periods of history, each style at some stage was at risk. It's only with hindsight that people say things like "what were they thinking do demolish all those wonderful buildings"  This very thing happens today with many 20th Century buildings being altered or demolished.  Sadly it takes the process of time for our recent past to be acknowledged as important to our social and cultural fabric.