Industrial Sawtooth Roof views

The last few posts I've explored the striking industrial design that is the unmistakable sawtooth roof. I found this particular sawtooth design interesting because of the use of black and white as well as the feeling of dizziness that it creates! From this perspective the sawtooth design becomes an abstract expression of angles.

Provisional Heritage Protection for 20th Century Architecture in Launceston

The impressive Art Deco facade (right) of the C.H Smith Building has been abandoned for decades, but may be redeveloped.

What a week it's been for 20th Century Modernism in Launceston! Several iconic buildings have received provisional heritage listing by the Tasmanian Heritage Council, and there is talk (not for the first time) of the iconic Art Deco CH Smith complex, that has been abandoned for decades, being adaptively reused.

The former C.H Smith site was recently given heritage listing and a developer is proposing to integrate the existing remains of the Art Deco building into a new 5 storey retail development. The building has been in a sad and sorry state for over 20 years now. The interior of the complex has been completely gutted and remains open to the elements. The facade has fascinating use of brick and concrete work throughout but remains in a sad and sorry state.
The iconic Brutalist style "Henty House", Launceston

There have been development proposals in the past, but they have fallen through, so it will be interesting to see where this proposal goes and if the development is sensitive to the Art Deco character of the building.

The Art Deco period Princess Theatre

What positive news to learn that several iconic Launceston Modernist landmark buildings have been given provisional heritage listing including Henty House, St John Street Pumping Station, former Paton's and Baldwin's Mill, office, recreation hall and the concrete water tower at the at the site and last but not least the Princess Theatre.

Rear perspective of the massive complex that was Paton's and Baldwin's Mill

For too long now historians that document Launceston have, by and large, focused on 19th Century buildings at the expense of our mid 20th Century heritage. It's about time that this period of architecture be recognised as an important part of Launceston's social and architectural fabric.

St John Street Pumping Station is an impressive 1960s design for what serves as a functional building

Whilst the Tasmanian Heritage Council should be applauded for these listings, the massive backlog of heritage nominations that's in excess of two thousand needs to be addressed if people are to have faith in the role of the Heritage Council.

The bold Industrial Art Deco Hall of Paton's & Baldwin's Mill

The iconic Henty House is a wonderful example of the Brutalist style, and is a rare example of it's type in Launceston and throughout Tasmania. It is instantly recognisable due to it's size and bulky proportions. The detail when you get up close to the building is stunning with the architect wanting to create the effect of timber grain on the surfaces, which has been done with precision. Great news that a Brutalist building has made it onto the provisional heritage listing - possibly a first in Tasmania for such a building.Take a closer look at Henty House through my photographic essay of the building here.


The water tower at Paton's & Baldwin's Mill demonstrates an excellent example of the use of concrete and possess qualities seen in the Constructivist movement.

Sawtooth Design Continued - Launceston Industrial Architecture

Continuing the theme of last weeks Burnie post I give you another example of sawtooth design, this time at an Industrial site in Launceston. This week's photograph highlights a close-up of sawtooth architecture showing the windows placed at each interval to let light flood inside. Just like the Burnie post from last week, this sawtooth Industrial piece of architecture is also at risk and its future remains uncertain.

Former Creative Living Centre Building Burnie - Industrial Sawtooth Design

As you enter the Industrial township of Burnie, there are an amazing range of Industrial Modernist structures, some still in use and others abandoned, only their walls stand as reminders of a past that is fading. One such example is an interesting sawtooth designed Industrial Building. It has been causing some publicity of late in the local media.

Burnie Tourism Association president Allan Leeson comments about the former Creative Living Centre building (The Advocate Newspaper "Burnie eyesore still standing" 25/3) He fails to consider the possibilities of adaptive reuse of the site. The building has become a health hazard because it has been left to rot, and cleaning up the site and reusing the building would surely be as cost effective as demolishing it. There are many good examples of buildings that have been in far worse condition and have been cleaned up and reused for a multitude of purposes.

In a climate of economic uncertainty, I cannot imagine a replacement building would be anything as impressive as the wonderful "saw-tooth" design.

Too many buildings are hastily demolished and what takes their place is nothing special, usually just another unattractive car parking space. To get rid of a building simply on the premise that it's an eyesore and a health hazard, which Mr Leeson points out, is simplistic and fails to recognise Burnie's Industrial heritage and the possibilities of adaptive reuse in a time of economic uncertainty.