Sweeping Curves in Post War Launceston Twins

A real enjoyment of documenting the wonderful period of Tasmanian Modernism is that I begin to see design elements that remind me of other buildings that I have come across. Such an example of these visual linkages can be seen in these two wonderful Post War brick homes.  Check out their amazing curved facades and the wrought iron work- just amazing!

Industrial Woolshed demolition approved - Launceston

This week the Launceston City Council unanimously voted to demolish the former industrial sawtooth designed Tasmanian Woolgrowers building to make way for the flood protection scheme.  There is another sawtooth building adjacent to the former Woolgrowers building, as well as the landmark silos. 


These buildings form part of Launceston's industrial heritage and it will be a sad loss to lose this building.  Let's hope that the other abandoned industrial buildings that stand abandoned are adaptively reused.


Read the newspaper story here


I ask the General Manager to explain the process of overturning the heritage values of the building, in favour of 'peer review findings'  Is it the case that the former Woolgrowers building was going to be demolished anyway, so employing a consultant was just a matter of due process? Was the decision to demolish the building rushed by Councillor's because it would mean Council wouldn't have to foot the $250,000 demolition bill that the Launceston Flood Authority said they would pay if a decision was made quickly?

Former Ulverstone Hospital demolished

The former 1960s Ulverstone Hospital looked not to be in use and had the feeling that it had seen better days as it stood silently, a former shell of what would have once been a busy hospital.  On a recent visit to take some more photographs of the hospital I had trouble finding it.  I passed a large vacant lot with a unit development sign at the fence and soon after realised that this was the site where the former Ulverstone Hospital once stood, it had been demolished!

The 1960s designed hospital reminds me very much of the former Devonport Maternity Hospital that I have regularly documented, and was designed at the same time as the Ulverstone Hospital in the 1960s.  It was a time when public hospitals were undergoing dramatic changes in Tasmania and several examples from the period exist in Tasmania, many though remain in a derelict or demolished state, true of many Government buildings from the Modernist period in Tasmania.

Where the former Deloraine Hospital once stood.

It's amazing to think that in such a short period time a large public hospital has outlived its use under 50 years. One of the major joys I find in documenting such buildings is to highlight not only how such buildings have shaped Tasmania. Equally as important to me are how such photographs serve as a reminder of a particular time and place. Whilst buildings many have been lost forever in a material sense they have been immortalised forever in the still image.

Devonport Police Station - 1960s style

The 1960s Devonport Police Station that has nearly seen 50 years of use.

The Devonport Police Station is an example of 1960s architecture, an example of glass curtain wall, albeit in a smaller style.  Recently it was announced that Devonport would be getting a new police station to be located at a new site, whilst the current 1960s designed Police Station is building returned to the Devonport City Council.  The Devonport Police Station will be just shy of 50 years of its original use as a police station. Let's hope that the building will be reused and put to good use well into the future.

Leedon Building Launceston - Industrial Modernism

This is yet another great in-tact example of Industrial Modernism in Launceston.  The patterning in the steel frame windows are the real design feature here, the geometric lines created allow give the eye Modernist visual candy!

Townsville: City in Change Photography Project

Townsville city - a quickly changing visual landscape

As well operating as Art Deco & Modernism Tasmania & Australia blogs, I've just launched a new blog.


As a photographer with an interest in architecture and local history, I find the tropical North Queensland city of Townsville a very interesting place.  The city is experiencing a large population boom (a city of around 110,000 in the early 1990s, now edging closer to 200,000!) that has given rise to many new buildings and other changes happening in the city. 



Join my on a journey of Townsville's past and present through my photographic journey here 

AT&M Marketing Building, Launceston - adaptive reuse of Industrial building

This area of Launceston was once occupied by many Industrial businesses and many of the buildings were designed in the Modernist style, including this one which is now being used by a marketing company.  It's great to see adaptive reuse with the facade of the building still telling the story of Modernist industrial design.  The steel frame windows, the concrete overhang and the flag mast in the left corner combine to make this an interesting example of Industrial design in Launceston.

Aurora Power Sub-Station

I have built an entire collection of photographs around sub-station and water plants in Tasmania. The joy of having passion to document all facets of Modernist design and architecture is the joy of seeing everyday objects in a new light. In this case the brick work that juts outwards in this sub-station such an example.  It's used here to create decorative patterns on what would otherwise would be a red brick wall. I like how the brick vents also form part of the patterning.  I've seen this technique used on many types of buildings, large and small and different types of buildings from large hospitals, to residential.

Wool & Skin Merchants Industrial Building - Launceston

I love the dark red brick of this former industrial building, and the fact that the original business name still exists on the top of the building 'Wool & Skin Merchants'  The original steel frame windows with that non-transparent glass are so typical of 1930s-1950s design asthetic.  I notice that when a window smashes in such buildings it's more often than not replaced with transparent glass.  I imagine that this glass isn't made anymore, or it would be expensive to reproduce.  I love the small details like the original windows as they play a central role in retaining the buildings original design aesthetic. Without such features the original visual language of the building would be harder to read.

Where does the door go? - Telstra Building, Launceston

The Telstra and Myer buildings are the tallest in Launceston.  I took these photographs showing the rear of the Telstra Exchange building.  I am always intrigued by the door on the top floor that goes to nowhere, well just a massive drop to the ground!

Design wise the building uses large panels of finely crushed stone, I like how the bonding material between the panels shows, creating distinctive vertical patterns.  On sunny days and caught in the right light, the stones shimmer.

"Male Staff Only" 1960s period typeface and door

What an interesting 1960s designed door with it's original typeface and timber veneer door still in-tact.  Seeing this door and typeface I feel as if I could be walking into the set of a 1960s movie, it was a real joy to to find this typeface and veneer door in all its 1960s glory!

Hobart & Launceston Life in the 1960s video - National Film & Sound Archives

The National Film & Sound Archives has released footage, documenting Hobart in 1966 - simply fascinating 20 minute viewing and a must see for one of the periods we love!


The Railway Roundabout, Tasman Bridge, Trolley Buses,homes, cars, highways.....University...drool drool!

There is also a great video released at around the same time in the 1960s of Launceston as well.

Historic Art Deco Hospital Building set ablaze at the former Royal Derwent Hospital

Ward F at the former Royal Derwent Hospital was recently gutted by fire and soon after demolished.

What a great shame that yet another ward at the historic former Royal Derwent Hospital in New Norfolk has been set ablaze deliberately, this time the 1937 designed Ward F building on what is known as the oval precinct.  Shame on the authorities for not securing and using this site, instead leaving it to rot over the past 10 years in which time many buildings have been demolished and set ablaze.  


Derwent Valley Mayor Martyn Evans has said that he takes security of Willow Court very seriously.  What a joke, the buildings that are adjacent to Ward F are all busted open, ready for the next person to wreak further havoc.  Vision and action is needed, not token talk of security fences that will just be busted open as soon as they are erected. There are two other period Art Deco buildings adjacent to the now former Ward F, in an abandoned and derelict state, and surely their future is grim if they are left to stand open to the elements and vandals.


Surely the oval precinct and two remaining Art Deco buildings that are owned by the council should be incorporated into the broader strategy of promoting Willow Court as a visitor attraction. Connecting the periods of architecture with the changes in healthcare that took place in the complex's operation (1827-2000) is essential, and these Art Deco buildings played a central role in the changes towards healthcare at the time.  


Our collective history is more than just buildings built of sandstone.  Surely the Council could be pro-active and deliver a usable space in these abandoned Art Deco buildings for community uses, at least that way they are being used and there is a presence on site.  Simply erecting fences doesn't fix the problem, and if no action is taken then the fate of other remaining buildings on the site can only be seen as bleak and unpredictable. 

Only memories now remain of the Art Deco ward F building designed in 1937.

Vertical Timber & Glass Modernism, Launceston - LARC

A small but interesting example of Modernist design in Launceston.  Whilst many buildings of the period used vertical timber in their designs, this building is a rare example within the CBD.  I enjoy how the use of vertical timber and lots of glass give the building a sense of lightness and the frames of the windows create interesting visual impact.

Adult Education Building - Devonport

This functionalist building located in Devonport is typical of many Government buildings from the period.  The main entrance is the major focal point with the use of purple tiles. Tiles were a popular building material in the 1950s and 1960s. I enjoy the way the concrete staircase tapers out towards the edges, and how the white concrete banding at the main entrance is stepped which leads the eye inwards to the main entrance. The curved overhead lintel is also another complimentary feature.

Wentworth House - Launceston

This small example of Modernist design is to be found in Launceston and its style reminds me of many buildings from a similar period from England.  It must be the colour of the brick work and the sand aggregate used on the upper part of the building as there is a of this colour used in the UK.  The vertical bands at eye level are made up of pebbles and concrete and I enjoy the symmetry created by the four vertical bands and the horizontal windows...and of course as I have a love of typeface, I loved the "Wentworth House" logo as well.

Response to "Henty House Heritage Battle"

Henty House is a rare example of Brutalist architecture in Launceston, and the battle for it to be heritage listed is being taken to the State planning tribunal.  See the newspaper story here

My response to the the newspaper story:
"Mayor Albert van Zetten shouldn't  bandy about his personal opinions about Henty House when  he says "I find it difficult to understand how Henty House adds to the heritage of our beautiful city" (Examiner 20th February)  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and buildings that are heritage listed are assessed on a wide range or criteria. I am intrigued to know how Mayor van Zetten would assess "beauty". Henty House and the Civic Square precinct form part of a rich social history that contribute greatly to the city of Launceston.  Henty House stands as a rare example of Brutalist architecture in Tasmania that when built centralised public services that were once spread all over the city  There are wonderful period sculptures and other Modernist buildings that make the precinct a delight and in-tact example of 20th Century Modernism.  Sorry Mayor, but our heritage is more than just what one deems as "beautiful" If we are to have an informed debate then such simplistic value laden comments shouldn't be bandied about"

I recently wrote a feature story and provided my photographs for a story on the history of Henty House and the Civic Square precinct that if forms for the new national publication "Australian Modern"  Check it out here   A photographic essay on Henty House I have done can be viewed here: 

500+ photos of Tasmanian 20th Century Modernism

It's official, the Tasmanian 20th Century Modernism archtiecture page on my website has hit 500 photographs! These include images of residential, industrial, civic and Government buildings.  The project continues to grow and many more photographs are yet to be added to the website and blog.  There are many more to come....Thanks to those over the years who have dropped by, checked out my blog and website and left comments, it's great to see other people who have a similar interest.

Check out my website for 500+ images of Modernism in Tasmania photo project.

Modernist Post War flats "Regency House" - Hobart

I love the sharp geometric angles of these flats as well as the small concrete overhangs with their sharp intersecting angles. The small glass curtain wall feature at the main entrance as well as the "Regency House" typeface at the main entrance are all visual joys.  Regency House stands alone in the streetscape, making it all the more dramatic and photogenic.

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!