Devonport Hospital - A Modernist Gem in Ruin

The former DevonportMaternity Hospital designed in the late 1940's is yet another Tasmanian modernist gem that lay abandoned and vandalised. The above photo makes looks as if the entire building has been bombed with just about every window being smashed. There were plans in 2004 to convert the former hospital into a 65 room apartment, but nothing has materialised to this day. Ironically early this year there were discussions of converting it back to healthcare uses as a private hospital.

The most striking feature of the building is the sweeping arch facade with concrete balconies. The front arch then sweeps off at the rear to form a T shape.

There are so many modernist buildings that remain abandoned and vandalised in Tasmania. It is time that our modernist heritage be given the same recognition and support that many 19th century buildings have gained in Tasmania. If we lose buildings like the former Devenport Hospital, then we lose a connection to our collective history.

To view a photo essay of the Devonport Maternity Hospital click here

Art Deco Hobart Residence

A striking art deco home in Hobart.  These kind of homes are large and the curves and staright lines of the concrete and glass are very interesting, as are the port hole windows.

Queenstown Central Primary School - Abandoned School #1

This abandoned and vandalised building was the former Queenstown Primary School. The building stands empty and in a state of ruin and has been so for many years now. A local had told me that the school children were moved and integrated into the nearby High School. This is 1 of 2 schools that are abandoned in Queenstown.
The main entrance and facade has fascinating Art Deco features including port hole windows, motifs and and doors. At each end of the building are staircases that allow access to the second story. It is these staircases that have smartly been designed so as they curve out from the main wall. These 2 curves at either end of the building are both functional, allowing for space inside the rectangular shaped building to be maximised, whilst adding a feature to that is unmistakably Art Deco in style.

The front fence is built in concrete and has a simple but effective indented line running through it with curved sections to complement the art deco building. What is often beneficial from a historical perspective about many modernist buildings is that they often have plaques on them notifying things such as the date of construction and/or who opened the building. Often it was opened by the Premier or someone 'official' of the day.

Hidden amongst the rubbish and long grass is a plaque that informs us that Premier Ogilvie officially opened the school in 1938. Oglivie was instrumental in seeing the construction of many wonderful modernist buildings in Tasmania. It is great to see the plaque and to imagine that in 1938 he stood on this spot and declared the school open. I wonder if he or the original teachers, children and locals would have though that 70 years later it would be in an abandoned and ruined state?

To view a photo essay on the former Queenstown Primary School click here

Queenstown - A legacy of Modernist Buildings and Industry

This set of units in Queenstown is classic 1960s design, evident in the timber frame window panels and the understory concrete pillar carport. Large glass windows take advantage of the sun allowing light and warmth into the rooms, which is paramount in a wet and cold climate like Queenstown.

Since mining and forestry activities have demised around Queenstown it has witnessed a decline in services, infrastructure and population. There are many buildings throughout the township are in need of maintenance, or worse are now abandoned and vandalised.

An Art Deco and a Modernist designed school now stand abandoned and vandalised; the vast Queenstown Hospital complex was recently closed down and so far tenders have seen no buyers; and there are many homes abandoned and boarded up.

Many of the shops of Queenstown were designed of fitted out in the 1960s and several to this day retain their original design features, including cream/yellow timber panels at the rear of one of the shops, and an angled glass entrance coupled with small square tiles at another.

Queenstown is a fascinating place for modernist architecture enthusiasts , for it showcases many interesting designs, but is a visual reminder how in such a short period of time how industries, that the township was largely built upon, have demised.

The reminders of industrial progress and what helped sustain the township are evident throughout the surrounding hills and mountains of Queenstown that remain scarred, through decades of mining fumes that rendered the once forested hills bare. In my coming blogs I will showcase a series of interesting and inspiring Modernist designs from Queenstown.

Although the heavy mining industry days around Queenstown may have largely declined, the views still allow for a visual account of the effects of the mining activities and smoke fumes upon the landscape.

Royal Hobart Hospital - Modernist Highrise Tower Block

This large bulk forms part of the Royal Hobart Hospital complex. Thesite is vast and like most hospitals has had additions added over time. This section I am guessing would date from the 1950/60s, whilst the original hospital was designed in the Art Deco style by Leighton Irwin. The glass and steel facade is one of the most noticeable buildings as you make your way into Hobart.

Elliott Community Hall - Art Deco Transition

This small but striking community hall is in the farming town of Elliot, North West Tasmania. As you drive along the highway, the building stands alone and this allows for its designs features to be emphasised. Although the top flagpole mast and detailing in the upper brick section are in the Art Deco style, the windows are showing a post 1950s modernist design, as is in the main door entrance which I am guessing was added much later as a replacement for older doors. Suppose what one could term a transitional building. It was opened by the Tasmanian Premier E. Reece in 1958.

The Golden Staircase

One of the most important elements in capturing a scene through the photograph is to get the subject in the right light. This interesting hotel staircase in Launceston was a case in point. Probably more often than not walked past and never noticed, it came alive when the late evening light shone.

This is a classic example of modernist hotel staircase design. It actually reminds me of hotels in America as well as reminding me of the George Michael video clip, Careless Whisper!

Evendale Memorial Hall

Completed in 1964, the Evendale Memorial Hall puts an emphasis on strong lines and features. The footpath access to the right of the building complements the symmetry or the hard right angles of the rest of the building. Go closer to the main entrance and there is a fascinating wall feature of open square cuts in the walls. The more I study and document this period of architecture the more I see the use of such features. The other popular design that I have observed from this period is the jutting out effect of bricks on walls. I can only imagine these features acted as a form of decoration in a post war climate as well as allowing air to circulate.

A Small Home with Extraordinary Features

This residence is a fine example of how a small block of land has been effectively used. Built in the 1960s the front of the building (pictured) is actually the side of the house. The owner of the home has pride in their home and garden which is evident with the marigolds and other annuals and perennials that dazzle in passer by. The well maintained lawn also emphasises the period home. The blinds on the home are unmistakably period design and complement the home, as does the jutting out effect of the bricks.

Art Deco Streamline Gem - Launceston

This wonderful example of streamline design is Art Deco style at its best. It's one of only a few examples in Launceston whereby the curves are stepped in sections. Another example is this residence. The home features an original garage under the residence, as well as to the left of the above photo. The windows are all intact and in original condition. Again, like so many modernist homes the front garden is in keeping with the period - clean cut and minimalist in its design.

"Four Winds" Launceston

This residence caught my attention, really standing out with it's interesting fence detailing as well as the brick detailing on the upper front facade. The angled flat roof is classic of the modernist movement.

Art Deco residence - red & white theme

I enjoy how this home has a dominant theme through its colour scheme of red and white and how this carries on throughout the entire building. The hues or red and oranges in the brick work and the white concrete sun awning and the original sweeping curved windows are all still in-tact. The design elements of the home spill out onto the front entrance with a red brick with white stepped fence detailing and the lovely curving concrete footpath that leads to the main entrance of the residence.

Dare to be Differnet - A 'one in a kind' residence

This home named Howroyd Place tucked away in the suburbs of Launceston is an intriguing and unique example of modernist design. I haven't seen anything quite like it before in terms of its styling. It reminds me of a beach home, except this home is inland. An exemplary and inspirational lightweight feeling design.

Impressive 1960s design - Launceston

In the rows of "stock-standard" 1960s homes in any given town or city in Tasmania there are always those that stand out from the crowd. This residential home is a case in point. The interesting awning that sweeps around the front of the building is eye-catching and stunning and is seen well before arriving at the home. It's disc shape continues from the front entrance and is the homes roof. A roof as a feature too, I like it! The same goes for the fence and the well maintained garden. I could well imagine the home in a magazine from the 1960s, "a new modern way of living" it could have read.

Nuts & Bolts - Launceston Art Deco

I always enjoy the humble art deco buildings, usually on the outer fringes of towns and cities such as this commercial building in Launceston. There is a roller shutter on the main windows and these are drawn or closed depending on the sun at different times of the day and year. The left side of the building has its original period entrance. I love the symmetry of the building. I reckon that it may have been originally designed to house 2 shops as there are identical doors on either side of the main facade. The symmetry continues with the windows and the classic stepped art deco detailing. A classic art deco building.

CH Smith Complex - Heritage listed, but still an eyesore

The impressive Art Deco Facade (right) that forms part of the CH Smith Complex

The CH Smith Complex recently gained heritage listing, but to this day the site and its range of Georgian and Art Deco buildings remain in a neglected and deteriorating state. The cordial factory at the rear of the complex may be one of Launceston's oldest buildings, but looking at the boarded windows, large sections of missing slate roof, and doors busted open its future remains uncertain. The same neglect also continues for the impressive Art Deco facade.


The Cordial Factory, one of Launceson's oldest buildings.

Heritage status alone isn't going to address the practical realities of a complex that needs saving for its historical and architectural values. Whilst it's important that buildings have heritage status, unless there are more powers and/or funds to protect these buildings then they are destined to be lost forever.

Burnie Fire Station

The Brutalist period Fire Station in Burnie has to be one of personal period faves. I reckon it beat's the older Art Deco station around the corner from it hands down in terms of stylistic design. Tasmania has quite a number of small scale Brutalist buildings.

Launceston Waterfront Precinct Buildings

This view of the former Launceston waterfront precinct shows a detailed view of the buildings that are by in large no longer used. The yellow silos to the left are still full of processed grain, some sheds are being used for workshops, but the large and iconic saw-tooth roof sheds are empty and no longer used. There are demolition signs posted around the area because of flood levy works that are going on. Many buildings have already been demolished for this council project.

The entire site has a feeling of empty somberness, and its life has come to the end. One thing that probably remains certain is the entire waterfront precinct area will dramatically change, whether that means demolition of buildings or redevelopment.

A panoramic version of the photo above can be seen by clicking here