Argyle Street Carpark - Hobart

Argyle Street Car Park block has been noted as being the first parking complex in Hobart, having been built in the 1960s.  The complex symbolises and tells a story of a time when more and more people were getting access to the automobile and this is also reflected through the massive changes that took place in the 1950s/60s with construction of main highway arteries that have to cope with commuters in and out of Hobart.  There are 2 main parking complex's within Hobart CBD.  Argyle Street Car Park is important in showing the arrival of independent travel as well as being the first in Hobart.

Sunray Flats - Hobart

These iconic streamline flats in Hobart were designed in 1940 by Hartley Wilson & Philp (both Architects were responsible for many Modernist designs in Tasmania) and these units demonstrate an excellent example of Streamline style.  I have been told that the original features are still in-tact in the flats.  The exterior features such as the windows, white painted curves and staircase are all features that are of interest.

Hobart Flats - Gardens in the sky

 These interesting pyramid style flats look to have been built in the 1970s/80s. As I was studying and photographing them, they remind me of some of the Brutalist style Government buildings such as Henty House in Launceston.  The pyramid style construction allow for each flat to have a veranda and garden space, whilst taking advantage of sunlight.  This approach is evident in many Brutalist period buildings.

A Hole In the Streetscape - Wellington Centre Hobart

 If you travel around Hobart at the moment, you may notice a few gaps where buildings once stood.  This is the case in Liverpool in the CBD where the Myer Building burnt to the ground and no new building has replaced the now empty gap.  The 'Myer Gap' has an impact on a CBD and that impact, true or not shouts 'a city in decline and decay'.

In contrast the hole in the ground in Argyle Street is not sitting vacant for long. It's being prepared for an office and retail block, including an underground Woolworths and 500 car parking spaces to be called the Wellington Centre.  There have also been ideas that would see an enclosed footbridge connecting the Royal Hobart Hospital, which is opposite, to the new shopping complex.  To view a news story and concept plans of what the new building will look like, click here.

From photographs of what once stood on the site, it looks to be a modernist functionalist art deco style building, with saw-tooth roof buildings to the rear of the complex.

Devonport Maternity Hospital Letter to the Editor

My letter to the editor regarding the former Modernist designed Devonport Hospital was in today's Advocate Newspaper:

Don't Demolish
While it's vital the former Devonport hospital is cleaned up and secured, it's also vital that the building be reused in the future. It's an excellent example of modernist design and demonstrates Devonport's diverse range of architectural styles. Too many buildings are hastily demolished on the premise that they're damaged, ugly and/or a risk to public safety. The former Launceston General Hospital is another striking modernist building that was, until recently, vandalised and posed public health and safety risks. It has since been converted into luxury apartments. Why can't the Devonport City Council or the State Government be so bold as to purchase the site and redevelop it into housing or a mixed use facility?
THOMAS RYAN

To view my photography essay on the former Devonport Maternity Hospital click here

Art Deco Undervalued in Tasmania

An interesting interview featured in The Mercury newspaper with Art Deco & Modernism Society President Robin Grow and his thoughts about Art Deco promotion in Tasmania as a tourist drawcard.  Click here to read the story.

The Imortance of 20th Century Architecture in Tasmania Video Discussion

An interesting and thought provoking video feature about the importance of Modernist Tasmanian Architecture featured on ABC online.  Thoughts come from Architects and Artists who express their opinions about the importance of 20th century Architecture and discuss why this period of our built heritage should be it should be appreciated and acknowledged.

http://www.abc.net.au/local/videos/2010/05/06/2892372.htm?site=hobart

This interview forms part of an exhibition titled "Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" that's being held as part of the Tasmanian Heritage Festival.  The exhibition is a creative response by artists exploring the theme of 10 Murray Street Government Offices through a range of creative art works.


Venue:          Waterside Pavilion, Mawson Place Hobart
Time:            Weekdays: 11.00 am to 6.00 pm - 6th to 14th May
Weekends:   10.00 am to 4.00 pm
Admission:    Free of charge
Contact:        0408 376045

10 Murray Street Heritage Nomination Rejected

The news story below featured in The Examiner newspaper regarding the blocking of an Architectural award of the Brutalist period Government Office Tower block in Hobart.  My letter to the editor that was published as a response to the story is also below.

The Examiner, 7 May 2010
by Zoe Edwards
Tasmania’s Treasurer has blocked the nomination of Hobart’s 10 Murray Street’s government office building for an architectural award. The 1960s, 14-storey building is one of two buildings in Parliament Square set to be demolished to make way for a multi-million dollar redevelopment. Briony Kidd — the head of Save 10 Murray lobby group, which has launched an appeal against the demolitions — nominated the building for an Australian Institute of Architects 25 Year Award for enduring architecture. But Treasurer Michael Aird has stopped the nomination, which needs permission from treasury — the building’s owner — in order to go ahead. Mr Aird said it was inappropriate for the building to be nominated. “The timing of this proposal for an award has to be questioned,” he said. Ms Kidd said the building was more than deserving of the award. It is one of the best modern buildings in Tasmania,” she said. The building is nominated for listing of the Tasmanian heritage register as a building of architectural significance. Its demolition — estimated to cost $8 million — will make way for a green office block, which will look on to a grassed public space and an amphitheatre. “The exciting Parliament Square development is progressing through all established planning and development processes,” Mr Aird said. “The matter is currently before the independent Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal and it would be inappropriate to take any action at this time.”

Response:

10 Murray Street
Saturday, 8 May 2010
I question Treasurer Michael Aird's decision to block the nomination of the 10 Murray Street State Government offices (The Examiner, May 7). How can a decision be made to rest in the hands of just one person? Surely there needs to be broader discussions with heritage consultants, architects, interest groups and the general public before blocking nominations of the 10 Murray Street building? Simply blocking the nomination without justification stifles democratic process and citizens' rights to voice their concerns. I ask Mr Aird, what are the reasons for blocking this nomination?
- THOMAS RYAN

Deacon's Corner - Launceston

This commercial Art Deco building in the suburbs of Launceston is visually hard to ignore, standing on a corner where Art Deco does what it does best - because of the use of curves, the the building gracefully sweeps around the street corner as do many Deco buildings.  Beside this building is another Art Deco gem, the former Star Theater, that now operates as a Vinnies shop.

Duncan House - Launceston

Duncan House in Launceston is considered to be Launceston's first commercial Art Deco building.  Designed by well known Architect Colin Philp in 1934, the building has a wonderful mix of Gothic and Art Deco details.  The detailing continues on through the main hallway entrance. 

Colin Philp designed many commercial and residential homes throughout Launceston and in Tasmania, including his own home in Launceston which is quite different to his client based deco/modern buildings. Philp went onto design many buildings in Hobart, and his early works in Launceston visually demonstrate an Architect who designed buildings that were more English Arts & Crafts in style to later designing Art Deco and Streamline Moderne in Launceston and later in Hobart.

Art Deco & Modernism Tasmania Blog gets mentioned in The Mercury Newspaper

My blog got a mention in the Mercury today (7th May):

"THOMAS  Ryan's photo-blog will help you see Tasmania's built environment in a whole new light.  He manages to capture the beauty of even the most neglected modernist buildings"

ABC Interview listen online: Tasmanian Modern The Forgotten Architecture Exhibition

I was interviewed live on ABC Tasmania radio on April 30th about my photography exhibition, Tasmanian Modern: The Forgotten Architecture.

Click here to listen to the interview

 Exhibition Details:
 Date: Saturday 3 May to Monday 31 May 2010

Venue:	The Atrium Café, 113 Cimitiere Street, Launceston
Time:	Mon - Fri. 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Admission:	Free

Henty House Photographic Essay

Henty House Government Offices in Launceston was opened in 1983. Newspaper reports and photographs discussing the building show quite a different design to what stands today. Separate to the Government Office block was to be a complex built to accommodate workers. This plan never eventuated, but the Brutalist design did, and stands today as one of Launceston's, if not Tasmania's best examples of this style of architecture.

It's off form concrete textures and jutting bulky right angle shapes are visually stunning to both look at and photograph. The building never fails to impress with endless possibilities of capturing the shapes, patterns, and light changes of the building.

In the future this building (if it stands the test of time of the wrecking ball) will be given the heritage recognition it deserves and be listed. It would be a great shame to lose this landmark building, and looking at the diverse range of comments in the local newspaper about the building, it divides opinion, but at least it gets people thinking about their urban spaces and buildings.

Speaking of urban spaces, Henty House was built around the same time as the area surrounding it was closed off to traffic and paved, and renamed Civic Square - a communal gathering place for the people. Many features added including a water feature, sculptures and communal spaces. They are used to this day, with the area being the main meeting point for speakers and public rallies. It is an important part of Modernist design, and continues to serve its purpose it was served to do today. These spaces are in essence an extension of Henty House and the many other Modernist buildings that make up the precinct, that include the Police Headquarters, Magistrates Court and Public Library.

The nostalgia for the past is at a point whereby it hinders and ignores the positive contributions that Modernist design has given to Launceston and Tasmania. Sadly there are many designs in Launceston post 1980s that have attempted to mimic past styles and 'fit in' with surroundings. Or worse buildings are demolished in order to make way for pastiche styles that are culturally nothing and aesthetically boring.

There is no better example of hasty demolition 0f an important period building than at the former Centerlink Office building, adjacent to Henty House. An rare example of Spanish Mission style Art Deco was demolished to make way for a pastiche Victorian complex.

Henty House definitely makes a statement and is an important building of both architectural and historical significance and must be be given the protection it deserves.

Henty House features as part of my exhibition, Tasmanian Modern: The Forgotten Architecture that runs throughout the month of May. For more information about the exhibition click here.

To view the latest selection of photographs added to Henty House photo essay click here

Burnie Art Deco - Sea Blue lines at no 30

Burnie has many great examples of Art Deco & Modernist buildings, including this Art Deco commercial building. A shame the original doors and lower windows are missing, but the upper windows look to be original timber frames. Being a small and compact town, walking around and exploring the towns Modernist gems is easy.

Ulverstone Set of Shops in Modernist Build

I spotted this interesting set of shops housed in a Modernist design in Ulverstone. I find the symmetry very interesting, as well as how the bricks angle out at each side of the building and the use of timber slats at the top of the building.