Art Deco & Modernism Tasmania Features on ABC Hobart Radio

Art Deco & Modernism Architecture Tasmania featured on ABC Hobart radio. I was contacted by the ABC as they saw one of my posts "Australia Day - The Forgotten Corner Store, an Australian Icon Lost" which was all about the loss of the corner shop in Tasmania. The 15 minute talk discussed all things Tasmanian Modern, including memories of going to the corner store, Tasmanian Art Deco & Modernist design, as well as my involvement with the Palm Springs Modernism Festival.

Australia Day - The Forgotten Corner Store, an Australian Icon Lost

Followers of my blog would have seen several posts on old shops and petrol stations that are slowly and quietly disappearing throughout Tasmania.

This Corner Store in Launceston stands quietly and forgotten. It's represents a fading memory of what was until recently a common throughout Australian suburbs. What we often taken for granted buildings and places that can disappear so quickly. It's places such as this corner store that have given generations of Australian's fond memories - buying bread and milk, playing arcade computer games, lollies, and handing out with school friends!

The humble corner store has played a large role in shaping Australian social history and identity, and this Australia Day Art Deco & Modernism pays homage to the corner store.

Tasmanian 20th Century Architecture exposed @ USA Modernist Festival

Railway Roundabout Memorial Fountain Hobart - 1963

The top ten mid 20th Century buildings of Tasmania will be showcased internationally at the Palm Springs Modernism Week in the United States of America in February 2011.

The 9 day festival (February 17-27th) celebrates architecture, design and culture from the period. See the Palm Springs Modernism week website for more information.The Tasmanian designs were chosen by photographer and writer, Thomas Ryan who has a passion about Tasmanian 20th century Modernism. He operates the "Tasmanian Art Deco & Modernism" blog site http://modernismtas.blogspot.com/ and website http://www.tryanphotos.com/20caus that highlight Tasmanian 20th Century architecture and design.

He also runs the Tasmanian Chapter of the Art Deco & Modernism Society. His photographs and historical insights of Tasmania's mid 20th Century buildings at the Palm Springs Modernism festival will highlight the rich diversity and contribution that 20th Century architecture has played in shaping Tasmania to an
international audience.

To view the top 10 Tasmanian mid 20th Century designs that will be showcased at Palm Springs click here.

Henty House, Launceston 1982

Art Deco Streamline Home - Launceston

There are many great examples of Art Deco and 20th Century Modernist homes in the northern city of Launceston. This home is a great example of the Streamline Moderne style with it's smooth transitions and "wrap around" walls.

I would say the only unoriginal feature would be the staircase balustrade, and possibly the pink colour scheme and the lower windows. To view more photographs of Launceston residential houses and flats click here

Royal Derwent Hospital Church - New Norfolk

The former Royal Derwent Hospital had its own Church.  A post-war designed building, the brick work features are very interesting in the way that they are used to create and add geometric form to the building, as does the mast that spikes out from the central area of the building.  Glass was also another feature used extensively in the design.  The Church ceased being used in 2000 when the Royal Derwent Hospital closed down.  It's future remains uncertain as the entire area is under redevelopment, so it's likely this building's fate will be sealed in the near future.

Little Heritage Hope for Deco Delight - Letter to the Editor

The C.H Smith Building (right) is a is a wonderful industrial Art Deco building and has been abandoned for decades

The Tasmanian Heritage Council has a lot of questions to answer about the lack of protection of Tasmania's architectural history. The recent announcement that the Heritage Council approves of the demolition of an iconic Art Deco Building in Hobart that forms part of the Parliament Square redevelopment (24/12), but was listed by the Heritage council wreaks of double standards and doesn't leave any confidence in a department that is meant to protect our built heritage.

The list is endless in regards to buildings that need urgent assessment. 10 Murray Street, The former Royal Derwent Hospital, C.H Smith complex, The Burnie Paper Mill, and the former Queenstown Primary School are all wonderful examples of Art Deco and Modernist Architecture that are at risk and the Tasmanian Heritage Council fails to protect.

There are literally thousands of properties awaiting Heritage Tasmania assessment, it's no wonder built heritage in Tasmania crumbles and get's demolished. No amount of words or spin are going to change the perception that the Tasmanian Heritage Council doesn't care less. What they do make clear is that they are just another Government department bogged down in bureaucracy and demonstrate no real strength when it comes to protection of our built heritage.

The former Burnie Paper Mill in it's day employed thousands of people. Since it's closure in 2010, the future of the vast site remains uncertain.

The former Art Deco Government Printing Building is due to be demolished as part of the Parliament Square redevelopment in Hobart

Art Deco Apartments - St Alva Hobart

What a wonderful location for this Art Deco Apartment block, and for the first post of 2011. The building is located on the River Derwent, Hobart. From the main road that is directly behind these series of photos, there is no clue of what is beyond a rather plain looking main entrance. That's until you view the Art Deco flats from the the river frontage. These views from the waterfront give great views of the St Alva and Mt Wellington in the background. The sweeping balconies are typical of the period, and only 1 has been boxed in, the rest remain in the original open state. All of the windows are in tact as well. There are many Art Deco and Post War apartment blocks in Hobart.To view examples of Hobart Art Deco & Modernist flats and other Modernist buildings check my Hobart Photography repository here