Glass Curtain Wall architecture - The adornment of glass and aluminium covering the external shell of a building was a popular design method of the Modernist period throughout Tasmania and Australia during the 1950s-70s. This story takes a look at the importance of this period of design throughout Tasmania.
Tasmania has many great examples of glass curtain wall architecture to be found throughout the island
Global context of glass curtain wall architecture
We need to travel overseas to see the beginnings of this form of Modernism. One of the most notable examples of glass curtain wall is the Bauhaus Building in Dessau, Germany. Designed by the founder of the Bauhaus movement, Walter Gropious, it’s a striking early example (1925) of the Modernist movement, especially evident through elaborate use of glass curtain wall. The industrial Fagus building designed by Gropius for the production of pencil cases is another beautiful example of elaborate use of curtain wall. Designed in 1911 it’s a remarkably early design. At the same time as the Fagus building was being built designs in Tasmania were still focused on the Arts and Crafts/Queen Anne movement (look at the Launceston Post Office for such an example of the prevalent style at the time in Tasmanian design) Buildings in the design ethos of the Fagus building wouldn't be seen in Tasmanian design for at least another 20-30 years. In Tasmania, like much of Australia, design influences and styles reached our shores somewhat later. Architects would take trips overseas and bring back with them design ideas that they were influenced by immigration into Australia and Tasmania during the Post-War years brought a new wave of designers who experimented with new building materials and design influences.
The industrial Fagus building designed by Gropius for the production of pencil cases is an early example of use of glass curtain wall. Designed in 1911 its a remarkably early example of Modernism and appliction of curtain wall. Image source Carsten Janssen / cc-by-sa-2.0-de via Wikipedia Commons
Architectural styles and periods of design aren’t set in stone (or concrete)
The argument is often put forward, especially when demolishing a building or altering it, that it somehow isn't of the era because it doesn't fit a predefined date. Whilst periods of design have been given labels and dates, it's never as clear cut, history, culture and design don't have a definitive start and an end date, given that there is so much overlap. There are many examples of this overlap including the former Townsville General Hospital, designed in the 1930s but opening in 1951 due to the outbreak of the Second World War - cutting edge influences from overseas took time to be implemented and experimented with in Tasmania and throughout Australia. Tasmanian examples include the former Art Deco Government Printing offices (mid 1950s, demolished) and Henty House in Launceston (1982)
The former Art Deco Tasmanian Government Printing Offices (1955) were built in the mid 1950s, highlighting the fact that design doesn’t fit a predefined date. Demolished 2014
The former Townsville General Hospital, designed in the 1930s but opening in 1951 due to the outbreak of the Second World War
Henty House, designed in the early 1980s in on of Tasmania’s finest examples of Brutalism. The influences of the Brutalism, as with all styles of Australian design, arrived in Australia much later.
“The argument is often put forward, especially when demolishing a building or altering it, that it somehow isn’t of the era because it doesn’t fit a predefined date. Whilst periods of design have been given labels and dates, it’s never as clear cut, history, culture and design don’t have a definitive start and an end date, given that there is so much overlap.”
Glass Curtain Wall Modernism in Tasmania
The early adoption of the curtain wall in Tasmania was often applied to sections of the building, namely the street facing facade, or in small sections of a building to allow light to flood in. Earlier designs from the 1930s/40s often used steel frame windows. It wasn't until the 1950s/60s that aluminium became the standard for curtain wall design. A great example of sections of a building utilising curtain wall was in the former Launceston General Hospital (altered) where parts of the veranda utilised glass and steel frame windows for the health benefits of natural light. Buildings of industry would often apply large sections of glass to allow for maximum light to enter. This is apparent on the facade of the Mintys (altered 2018/2019) in Hobart (which until recently still had its original neon signage) and residential dwellings throughout Tasmania. One of the earliest experiments in glass curtain wall design was York Chambers (altered beyond original recognition in 2018) in Launceston. Designed in 1955 it was a notable example of early adoption of curtain wall with the facade adorned in glass and aluminium, and finished off with grilled aluminium trim on the buildings edges. Other notable examples of street facing building frontages being designed of curtain wall include York House in Launceston (altered in 2019) and Former Devonport Police Headquarters (demolished) and Construction House in Hobart.
York Chambers in Launceston was one of the early examples of curtain wall design in Tasmania, and finished off with grilled aluminium trim on the buildings edges. Altered beyond recognition in 2018
The industrial facade of Minty’s in Hobart. Altered 2018/2019
The beautiful York House in Launceston, showcasing blue panels and orange brick detailing. Altered beyond original design in 2019
Former Devonport Police Station, demolished
Earlier Modernist buildings from the Art Deco period (circa 1930s -50s) predominantly used brick/stone in their construction, thereby acting as the load bearing walls that supported the building structure. When viewing these buildings they have a “solid” and “heavy” presence. This is apparent in many Tasmanian Art Deco buildings including the T&G Building in Hobart, the Days Building in Devonport, and Holyman House in Launceston. The 1960s in Tasmania witnessed a boom in examples of curtain wall architecture. Perhaps the most prolific cluster can be seen at the University of Tasmania’s Sandy Bay campus in Hobart. These include the engineering building which wouldn’t look out of place on an industrial site. It’s tinted blue glass panels are a visually pleasing attribute, and the utilisation of colours on panels were popular in curtain wall design. The chemistry building at UTAS Sandy Bay provides a beautiful multilevel curtain wall as you make your way to the grand columned entry. The Morris Miller Library is another wonderful example, with elaborate use of red panels, and the design also features beautiful detailed emergency staircases. The glass panelling allows the staircases to be seen from outside, and in doing so creates a visual impact that would otherwise be hidden from view. The majority of the University of Tasmania buildings at the Sandy Bay campus were designed in the mid 20th Century, and highlight excellent intact and unaltered examples of the early application of large scale glass and steel, as well as mid 20th century design in general. The State Library of Tasmania in Hobart CBD is another great example of curtain wall. All faces of the library are covered in glass and aluminium, creating maximum light penetration whilst visually providing a sense of weightlessness to the building. In 2013 the social and historical significance of the State Library was recognised when it was given heritage listing status along with the impressive and imposing Brutalist stack adjoining it which holds precious archives.
The Chemistry building on the Sandy Bay, University of Tasmania campus is one of many examples of curtain wall design on campus
State Library of Tasmania, Hobart. In 2013 the social and historical significance of the State Library was recognised when it was given heritage listing status along with the impressive and imposing Brutalist stack adjoining it which holds precious archives.
The former Conservatorium of Music, University of Tasmania
Engineering Workshops, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay campus. A visual delight with the panels of clear and blue glass panels with the building itself providing a real industrial feel that wouldn’t look out of place on a factory site.
The Morris Miller Library is another wonderful example, with elaborate use of red panels, and the design also features beautiful detailed emergency staircases.
Other examples in Hobart CBD include the former Conservatory of Music, University of Tasmania. Whilst the addition of sunshades obscure the original fabric of this building, the original curtain wall can nonetheless be visually read still. The building also features a wonderful mosaic on the external ground floor. There are so many great examples of curtain wall design in Hobart and throughout Tasmania, it's really well worth taking the time to explore. When I capture photographs for the Tasmanian Modernism project I love to be inspired and travel places to be inspired by architecture and design. Across the Tasman in Melbourne ICI house is an inspirational example of curtain wall design that is really worth checking out. Breaking new ground by being the tallest building in Australia when it opened in 1958, this 19 level heritage listed office tower is a stunning example of curtain wall design. The planned gardens and sculptures that surround the building are intact and provide a visual delight and insights into this period of design and construction. There are several examples of curtain wall throughout the CBD, especially in Collins Street, which was home to CRA House, another landmark curtain wall and one of the first and tallest buildings within the CBD Hoddle grid. This lost gem has to be one of the shortest lived buildings having been constructed in the early 1960s and demolished just over 20 years later! A grand industrial example in Melbourne was the Australian Paper Mills Boiler House at the Alphington Paper Mill factory. It was an impressive curtain wall design on a grand scale designed in 1954. If you’re interested in Melbourne Modernist Architecture, then be sure to check out my ongoing project gallery Melbourne 20th Century Modernism
ICI House in Melbourne broke new ground by being the tallest building in Australia when it opened in 1958
CRA House in Melbourne CBD was an iconic curtain wall design and at the time would have been one of the tallest buildings in the hoddle grid. Designed in the 1960s and demolished in the 1980s it was one of the shortest lived skyscrapers in Melbourne. Source: Sievers, Wolfgang, 1913-2007, CRA building and city views, Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 1962, National Library of Australia, PIC WS AC-3189-add1 LOC Cold store PIC Siev CN&T-F
Australian Paper Mills Boiler House at the Alphington Paper Mill factory was an impressive curtain wall design on a grand scale designed in 1954. Demolished for housing project.
It wasn't until the early 1970s that Tasmania got its first highrise glass curtain wall. Known locally as "Jaffa House" for its use of colourful glass in the same hue as the popular confectionery, and it stands as perhaps the landmark example of glass curtain wall design and the tallest example in Hobart and indeed Tasmania. I particularly love the coloured panels as well as how the lower podium is offset on a different angle to the main tower, something that is most apparent when you stand opposite on Collins Street. Jaffa House could perhaps be seen as the beginning of the end of the glass curtain era, but it's influence has never gone away. In reality it's become a mainstay of contemporary design, especially in office and residential towers throughout Australia.
Jaffa House, Hobart is the tallest example of curtain wall in Tasmania and perhaps one of the most iconic with its coloured panels.
The influences and legacy of glass curtain wall design
By the late 1970s design was moving in new directions. By the late 60s/1970s Tasmanian design in architecture witnessed large scale use and experimentation of concrete, marking a break away from "pure" curtain wall design. Application of concrete and glass was most apparent in 10 Murray Street Government Offices where what is essentially a curtain wall design is broken up by panels of anodised aluminium below each window and an outer concrete columns, thereby creating one of the main visual aesthetics. Other examples from this period that apply use of concrete on a large scale include Wrest Point Casino in Sandy Bay, the Hydro Electric Offices in Hobart and the ANZ Bank (former TAA Offices) in Launceston. The 1970s/early 80s was the period of Brutalist design style in Tasmania and Australia, a radical visual shift away from mid century design, but mid century modernism and its use of curtain wall design nonetheless had a major influence and impact on future design. An example of this fusion of glass and concrete is apparent at the Hobart Private Hospital below) With large expanses of curtain wall, it's broken up by textured bulky textured columns of concrete.
The 1970s/early 80s was the period of Brutalist design style in Tasmania and Australia, a radical visual shift away from mid century design, but mid century modernism and its use of curtain wall design nonetheless had a major influence and impact on future design. An example of this fusion of glass and concrete is apparent at the Hobart Private Hospital. With large expanses of curtain wall, it's broken up by textured bulky textured columns of concrete.
“By the late 60s/1970s Tasmanian design in architecture witnessed large scale use and experimentation of concrete, marking a break away from “pure” curtain wall design.”
By the mid 1980s postmodernism had arrived, and designs, especially in offices, had shifted to elaborate use of curtain wall. Whilst there is a strand of postmodernism that borrows heavily and reinterprets the past (such as Grand Chancellor in Launceston), many examples from the Post Modern period applied glass curtain wall to their designs. The landmark Rialto Towers in Melbourne is an iconic example from the 1980s. The aesthetic, application and design intent of curtain wall design had changed, but the influences of the pioneering mid century designs are apparent and continue today, especially in residential skyscrapers throughout many cities throughout Australia.
By the mid 1980s postmodernism had arrived, and designs, especially in offices, had shifted to elaborate use of curtain wall. Photograph - Rialto Towers (1982), Melbourne
The influences of mid century curtain wall design can be seen most clearly in the residential construction boom in Melbourne. Photograph - The Premier Tower under construction (2019) has a curvaceous design in glass and when completed will be a 78 level residential skyscraper in the heart of Melbourne CBD
The aesthetic, application and design intent of curtain wall design had changed, but the influences of the pioneering mid century designs are apparent and continue today, especially in residential skyscrapers throughout many cities throughout Australia. Photograph - 11033_Avenue Residential Apartments, South Yarra Melbourne
The glass curtain wall liberated the way people lived and worked in the mid 20th Century, allowing a way to build for the future. Perhaps this period of design isn't as appreciated as much as it should be. The contemporary use of mass application of glass and aluminium is as popular now as it's ever been. Maybe we've become somewhat blase as to how groundbreaking this method of design really was. A flick through architecture magazines from the mid twentieth century show just how popular materials like aluminium were, with full page adverts highlighting the virtues of this wonderful material in use in design. It's time to celebrate the influence and legacy of the glass curtain wall. Glass curtain wall design is a fascinating branch of Modernism, and it’s high time that we celebrate its influence and its legacy. We are extremely fortunate in Tasmania provides to have so many inspiring examples in which to be inspired by, and to be able to witness the many ways in which they helped to shape and influence design that came afterwards.
“Glass curtain wall design is a fascinating branch of Modernism, and it’s high time that we celebrate its influence and its legacy ”
Photography and words by Thomas-Liam Ryan (expect where attributed) My photographs and written work on this subject were published in the book, Australian Modern Design: Mid 20th Century Architecture & Design
View more Tasmanian 20th Century stories on the blog by clicking here
Remember if you haven’t already to join the Tasmanian 20th Century Tasmania facebook group where we post and share everything related to Tasmanian Modernism