Former Launceston General Hospital

The Former Launceston General Hospital in a functionalist art deco style dates from the late 1930s. It closed down in the late 1990s and until 2007 it was in a state of neglect and decay. The former hospital has been given a second change and instead of demolition, it is being adaptively reused and converted into apartments and accommodation, to be known as "The Charles".

To see a photo essay of the former Launceston General Hospital from dereliction to its revival click here

A Waterfront Home

This modern home just built on the Launceston Waterfront grabs my interest every time I see it with it's dipped roof and use of rusted materials, timber and glass.

Oglvie High School

Oglvie High School (1936) located in the suburbs of Hobart would have to be rated as one of S.W Blythes masterpieces. Its dominant and impressive Art Deco Facade coupled with the dramatic backdrop of Mt Wellington make this building sing. Oglive was just one of the many Moderne style schools that Blythe designed. Others he designed included schools in Campbell Town, Queenstown, Glendu and Strahan. To view more photographs of Art Deco and Modernist buildings in Tasmania click here

10M gets National Coverage

The Government office tower block in Hobart, known as 10 Murray Street was up for discussion in the December issue of Australian Design Review magazine. The feature story is a timely piece discussing the merits of this striking Modernist building. The main photograph looking upwards (pictured) was taken by myself and used in the publication. An online version of the story can be seen by clicking here. A story supporting the protection of 10 Murray Street has also featured in the The Advocate newspaper

To see my photographic essay on 10 Murray Street Click Here

Riverview Hotel

The Riverview Hotel on the fringes on of the Launceston CBD was remodeled in the Deco style in the early 20th century from its original timber structure. Quite an interesting design, probably not as noticed because of its location.

Sewage Pumping Station

This great Modernist building in Launceston was designed by the City Architect Department in 1966. For something that processes 'human business', the detail that has gone into the design is excellent and as a result I find it a very inspirational building.

Demolition of Stainforth Court?

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On the main drag into Hobart are a series of 1960s highrise buildings known as Stainforth Court. They are the topic of debate at the moment with the Housing Minister putting forward ideas, including demolition of these 1960s buildings.

It amuses me that housing residences such as Stainforth Court in Hobart are proposed to be demolished (Mercury, December 15) This kind of ideology puts the blame on the buildings themselves, but doesn't tackle the complex and ongoing issues that effect those that need housing.

Simply demolishing and starting again doesn't tackle the real issues such as unemployment, drug and alcohol issues and good access to transport for the people of Stainforth Court. In a city such as Hobart that is growing the demand for housing is going to increase, and tower blocks such as Stainforth Court can help in offering part of the solution to housing.

Rather than the State Government attempting to look as if they are solving housing problems by demolishing Stainforth Court, Housing Minister, Lin Thorp, should sit down and discuss the real issues surrounding the needs of the people that live there. It's easy to blame buildings that are thought to be unfashionable , but to simply rebuild something new doesn't tackle the real issues of fixing the social and economic issues facing people who desperately need housing.

There are currently 85 units at Stainforth Court, where are the people going to find new housing if they are demolished? From an environmental point of view, demolition of these numerous tower blocks would be a waste of materials, and come at a large cost, undoubtedly running into the millions.

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Hidden 1960s Features

An example of some interesting 1960s design elements hidden away in Launceston. But as usually happens with modernist architecture its been neglected and it shows through rust, and general decay.

The Car Park

This car park reminds me of a grand empty mansion having been stripped down to its simple elements. Exposed concrete and shapes are all apparent in this car park, and has many fascinating period features, including the curved pilons, natural roof sun-lighting vents, and stylized concrete staircases. A good example of scale and fitting in to its town environment, whilst forging a modern identity through its Brutalist styling.

Masonic Temple - Hobart

I haven't seen many examples of this colour brick used in the Art Deco period. The Masonic Hall was erected in the late 1930s.
To view more of my Art Deco photographs click here

Art Deco Residence

An Art Deco residence in Launceston that exudes period features throughout the exterior. The narrow rectangular window and port-hole window are interesting, as are the front gates and chimneys.
To view more of my Art Deco photographs click here

Northumberland House

This beautiful Art Deco residence in Launceston has period features that extend from the house to the fence details.
To view more of my art deco photographs click here

Rio Vista - Art Deco Home

Streamline Art Deco period home in Launceston. It was recently for sale and all the interior period features are largely intact.

1950s Living

I like the symmetry of many 1950s period homes, and the use of the angled flat roof, like this home in Launceston.

A 1960s Butterfly

A classic example of what is known as the "butterfly roof house". This home in Launceston is a striking example of 1960s style. It would have to rate as one of the cities Modernist residential landmarks.

Royal Hobart Hospital

Staircase feature of the Royal Hobart Hospital, which was designed by Melbourne born Architect, Leighton Irwin in 1937. He was also responsible for major additions to the former Launceston General Hospital.

Domain Water Fountain 1960s Style

I have been doing some research on it and have found some old articles about Domain Water Fountain and there were several design submissions, the above was what made it in the end. I really like its context as it forms part of the urban highway network expansion in Hobart. the more I look at it the more impressive I find it. It's kind of like "the space-ship has landed / The Jetsons / Retro style all in one!! It's a shame that the water has been turned off for several years now. Turn it back on and let the water flow!

The Symmetrical Church

I came across this interesting Modernist Church in Glenorchy. What caught my eye was the coloured glass completed in steel frame arrow design. I really like the 2 doors on either side as well, the coloured window and doors create perfect symmetry. The arrow patterns draw ones eye up towards the triangular pitched roof and back down into the main facade of the building. Modernist Churches are indeed an interesting style in themselves. Like commercial architecture during the 50s/60s, Churches took on new and often exciting styles as well.

Commonwaelth Bank - Hobart

The Commonwealth Bank Building in Hobart has always inspired and interested me. I really like the way the facade curves and the use of lines to draw the eye and that no render or paint work has been applied to facade - it really helps show the material used to create the building, and reminds me of looking at the formations of the rocky pinnacle of Mt Wellington. I really enjoy this building when I see it; it’s bold, solid and sweeps the street corner nicely.

Rising High in Hobart

Tasmania's State Capital, Hobart is a city full of architecture styles spanning four centuries. This vantage point demonstrates many of the post 1960s modernist high-rise office buildings within the Hobart CBD. In some respects these series of buildings show Hobart 'coming of age' and becoming a 'city' in reaching for the sky. Although there may be reluctance of high-rise in favour of smaller "traditional" buildings, I believe that they are essential if urban sprawl/congestion/pollution is to be avoided. The other interesting thing about the photograph above is that the builds are all mostly from the 1960s/70s. To me the 1960s/70s (like the periods before it) demonstrate a sign of progress and of Hobart becoming a city. Although there must be protection of our built heritage, how much does this come at the detriment of modern urban designs being constructed?

The Corner Store - A Fading Memory?

The local corner store, (this one in Hobart) something that's been taken for granted in our cities and towns. Walking down to buy some milk and bread, the newspaper.....but sadly their demise is evident on suburban street corners as larger shopping chains out-compete and use their massive marketing campaign allures to the point where corner stalls are forced to close down. They have become the latest range of abandoned modernist buildings throughout our cities and towns. Take a drive around and there are countless former corner shops that now lay empty. The same has slowly been happening to many of the independent petrol stations.