Lands Building - Brutalist Hobart
The bold Brutalist shapes of the State Government Lands Building in Hobart. Externally the building remains in highly original condition and is a wonderful example of Brutalism in Hobart and Tasmania
State Library of Tasmania - heritage listed Mid 20th Century design
The beautiful delicate reflections of State Library of Tasmania, Hobart. Designed in the mid 20th Century its a stunning example of glass curtain wall design and much of the interior is in original condition including the timber panelling, clock and staircase. The building was recently heritage listed, a great outcome for Tasmanian Modernism
10 Murray Street Government Offices Project
10 Murray Street State Government Offices in Hobart, Tasmania, commenced construction in 1966 and were completed in 1969. 10 Murray Street was demolished in 2018. The 10 Murray Street project has been an immense undertaking logistically, emotionally and photographically. I have amassed a large library of photographs I have still to process, documenting the exterior and interior spaces for over the past decade. Project gallery https://www.tryanphotos.com/10-murray-street-tasmania-cover
Industrial Tasmania
Launceston, like many regional cities and town in Tasmania was heavily reliant on industrial and manufacturing trades, especially in the Post War years. With this trade came architecture to house industry and we are left with some impressive examples from the period. With the loss of industry and manufacturing has resulted in the risk to these industrial buildings. Due to their often sheer size, decay and ill fitting use for today’s uses such buildings are at risk of demolition.
10 Murray Street Hobart Demolition
The largest demolition in Tasmanian history - 10 Murray Street Government Offices, Hobart. The mid 20th century offices were a Modernist landmark on the Hobart skyline and were demolished in 2018. I documented 10 Murray Street over a period of 10 years so that there is a record of this important design for posterity. I documented the demolition process too - as this forms an important part of the process of documentary photography and telling the story of the history of 10 Murray Street Government Offices. Check out the ongoing project on my website https://www.tryanphotos.com/10-murray-street-tasmania-cover
Launceston Silos & Woolsheds
This is my latest edit from my 10+ year project documenting the industrial beauty of the silos and woolsheds. The project explores the former industrial precinct located in the suburb of Invermay, Launceston before, during and after demolition. Over 10 years of documentation, this is a project close to my heart. I remember making this photograph just prior to the woolsheds being demolished. This was a prolific time of image making as I knew it would be only a matter of time before they were demolished and the silos being redeveloped and being unrecognisable to their original design. This photograph captured in 2015 was made exploring vantage points over the other side of the Tamar River, I enjoyed the process of finding as many different vantage points to document this landmark before it was gone forever. View the project photographs that I’ve edited so far here
1970s Launceston - Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania
This spectacular design is home to the RACT offices in Launceston. Designed in the 1970s it remains in excellent condition with little alterations to its original design. The staircase has recently been removed as some of the outbuildings that serviced vehicles and it had a a new paint job. There were tiles that featured under every windowpane which were covered over with sheeting. The design has fascinated me - its got Brutalist elements and feels space age futuristic.
RACT Offices in Launceston - An excellent 1970s design showcase
A photograph showing the building that stood prior to where RACT is now. I find it fascinating to view archive images and see what was there before. Also of interest is no street lights, just a humble stop sign to the far left on the footpath. Source - Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery
Burnie Paper Mill - Rise and Fall of an Industrial Cathedral
This year marks a decade since the Burnie Paper Mill (Associated Pulp and Paper Mills) closed down. I’ve been reflecting on the history of the mill through my own photographs, and archive photographs.My inspiration for making photographs of sites like the mill is to record a quality record of architecture for posterity. I find it fascinating looking through archive photographs from library collections and this inspires me to capture my own photographs and inspires my process of creation.
This year marks a decade since the Burnie Paper Mill (Associated Pulp and Paper Mills) closed down. I’ve been reflecting on the history of the mill through my own photographs, and archive photographs.My inspiration for making photographs of sites like the mill is to record a quality record of architecture for posterity. I find it fascinating looking through archive photographs from library collections and this inspires me to capture my own photographs and inspires my process of creation. The Burnie Paper Mill was first etched into my memory when I was a young teenager sitting in the back seat of the family car as we did our first tour throughout Tasmania. I remember the contrast of rural green pastures and forested hills of the region juxtaposed with grand scale industry and manufacturing as we got closer to Burnie. The Tioxide factory (producing chemicals for use in paints and plastics) just outside of Burnie certainly left a lasting impression. The grand scale of Tioxide with its numerous pipes and chimneys was impressive, as was the Tioxide factory effluent that was pumped out into Bass Strait, staining the coastline rust orange.
Burnie Paper Mill Administration Building - Thomas Ryan Photography
Cathedral of Industry - The Burnie Paper Mill had a wonderful range of Industrial Modernism - Wolfgang Sievers Collection, National Library of Australia, nla.obj-160370357-1
Carrying around the next bend from Tioxide I remember the gouged out hillside where previously it would have once met the ocean, and where there were other industries underneath this cut out hill also occupying this space. In the distance the first sight of the Burnie Paper Mill. I remember being in awe of the sheer size of the Tioxide and Burnie Paper Mills and the functional industrial landscape that made up this region. Whilst we drove on past Burnie to get to other places, those split seconds of seeing these factories were etched into my mind and left a lasting impression.
The Tioxide factory (producing chemicals for use in paints and plastics) just outside of Burnie certainly left a lasting impression on me as a child - Tasmanian Archives: AB713-1-11114
The grand scale of Tioxide with its numerous pipes and chimneys was impressive, as was the Tioxide factory effluent that was pumped out into Bass Strait, staining the coastline rust orange - Tasmanian Archives: AA193-1-487
The sheer size of the Burnie Paper Mill is impressive and wonderfully represented from this aerial photograph - Tasmanian Archives: AA193-1-459P1
The Burnie Paper Mill became a reality in 1936 when a contract was signed for building plans and plant machinery. During this period tenders were sought for additional plant machinery and for the construction of the mill itself. The initial machinery that was imported from England was reported to be able to create 15,000 tonnes of paper products annually. The installation of a second machine in 1939 planned to increase that output to 22,500 tonnes per year. During the early 1960s the mill had approximately 1200 workers, but at its height this number was closer to 4000. Burnie grew rapidly and was transformed as a city because of the Burnie Paper Mill and other industries. In 1947 Burnie’s population grew rapidly from 6,659 in 1933 to 10,080 by 1947. This population growth as a result of new industry was noted by Premier Robert Cosgrove at the time, who observed that ‘’the rapid growth of population in and around Burnie mirrored the industrial advancement of the centre which could now claim to be the third biggest town in the State’’ This population boom and subsequent requirement for housing resulted in a building boom that’s resulted in Burnie having a rich tapestry of Modernist designs including residential, commercial, industrial and civic architecture.
Wolfgang Sievers Collection, National Library of Australia, nla.obj-144986712-1
Tasmanian Archives: AA193-1-479
Wolfgang Sievers Collection, National Library of Australia, nla.obj-144988363-1
Tasmanian Archives: AA193-1-481
Many women were employed at the Burnie Paper Mill. Pictured is the finishing room. Watch the video from 1956 where every single sheet is inspected for imperfections at impressive speed all by hand, counting a ream of 500 sheets of paper in a minute! Tasmanian Archives: AA193-1-478
Wolfgang Sievers Collection, National Library of Australia, nla.obj-144986916-1
Fast forward to 2010, I remember being in Burnie and witnessing the last weeks of the mill in operation. The pipes and chimney stacks were churning out steam and smoke and the industrial sounds made it feel like it was just another day in the life of the mill. That day I captured photographs and watched the remaining employees finish their shift and walk out those large steel frame mill gates. I reflected upon how this all too familiar scene was soon to be no more. The 70 plus years of operations of the mill and the workers who ‘’had a job for life’’ in an industry that helped to shape Burnie and Tasmania would fall into silence and be but a memory.
There were a vast range of buildings spanning the Modernist period of design that made up the vastness of the Burnie Paper Mill. Whilst a heritage assessment of 57 buildings on the site was undertaken, the bulk of the site was approved for demolition. Two stunning examples of Art Deco architecture remain - the former service and administration buildings which stand as remnant reminders of what was once a mighty cathedral of industry. Today these buildings have been faithfully restored and adaptively reused. There were a series of Art Deco offices that faced the Bass highway, which looked more akin to homes - the attention to detail of these buildings, especially in the brickwork, was amazing.
There were a series of Art Deco offices (above) that faced the Bass highway, which looked more akin to homes - the attention to detail of these buildings, especially in the brickwork, was amazing - Thomas Ryan Photography
Intricate and beautifully detailed brickwork - Thomas Ryan Photography
The Burnie Paper Mill was a grand labyrinth of imposing industrial architecture complemented by beautiful maintained lawns and gardens. These manicured gardens were formal and well maintained, showcasing typical garden design of the period. The use of such gardens was a common sight throughout many industrial complexes throughout Tasmania. The mill provided a wide range of services and facilities for use by employees. These included a dentist, kindergarten facilities, indoor gym, as well as a grand ballroom hall and cafeteria. The Mill also provided housing for its employees, constructing a vast array of homes for its workers. Many of the facilities for the mill workers and their families were located in the purpose built Services building, a grand Art Deco design designed in 1943.
Services Building, Burnie Paper Mill - The Burnie Paper Mill was a grand labyrinth of imposing industrial architecture complemented by beautiful maintained lawns and gardens. The mill provided a wide range of services and facilities for use by employees. These included a dentist, kindergarten facilities, indoor gym, as well as a grand ballroom hall and cafeteria. Wolfgang Sievers Collection, National Library of Australia, nla.obj-161238326-1
The Burnie Paper Mill was a grand labyrinth of imposing industrial architecture complemented by beautiful maintained lawns and gardens. These manicured gardens were formal and well maintained, showcasing typical garden design of the period. Wolfgang Sievers Collection, National Library of Australia, nla.obj-144989161-1
The Mill was a place of industry for making paper, but its workforce was seen as a valued and integral part of its operations, for whom the mill management took great pride in providing services and facilities. This sentiment and pride was apparent at the official opening, which had over 1000 people in attendance, when one of the board of directors said
“...we want every employee to feel a personal and community interest in the building and the activities that come associated with it. We have, therefore, tried to make this a notable structure in which you can take individual pride...let us all, therefore, seek to maintain it as the bright and beautiful thing it now is...behind us stands a factory which produces paper. Here we are in the centre of a new human kind of factory which I hope will produce human happiness and well-being”
Burnie Paper Mill staff during lunch in the grand 1930s cafeteria and ballroom of the Services Building - Wolfgang Sievers Collection, National Library of Australia, nla.obj-nla.obj-144986813-1
For me, documenting the Burnie Paper Mill was important as I knew this was an end of an era and how much it was intertwined into with the history of the people of Burnie and how it has shaped the city and it’s architecture. Now largely a memory, my photographs are all I have to remember the once mighty mill by. The process of documenting a site such as the Burnie Paper Mill and historic archive photographs play such an important role in providing a narrative to our shared past of how things were at a particular point in time. The Burnie Paper Mill - A life and industry that is now but a memory, but forever remembered through the power and storytelling of the photograph. View photographs from my collection of the Burnie Paper Mill photography project documenting the mill on my website. I have many years of photographs and due to my in-depth documentation I am always adding new photographs to the collection as I edit them.
This photograph of mill workers signing out for the day many years ago was reminiscent to the last week I witnessed of the mills operations before it closed down in 2010. That day in 2010 I captured photographs of the mill and watched the remaining employees finish their shift and walk out those large steel frame mill gates - just as they did everyday for the past 70 years. This photograph (above) reminds me of everyday moments in our lives and how important they become when looking back at them. It’s what drives me to document and archive through photography. Tasmanian Archives:AA193-1-462
Henty House - Where Architecture meets Art
Henty House in Launceston is one of my favourite Modernist buildings in Tasmania. I enjoy its style and the photographic opportunities that it provides are countless. I find it such a photogenic building, its more akin to a piece of sculptural artwork. The textures, shapes and patterns from the concrete wood grain textures and how the light contrasts against shadow areas are a real joy and inspiration to capture on my camera. Over my 7 week road trip around Tasmania recently I focused on capturing new photos of Henty House. These are just some of the many details I captured of the sculptural beauty that is Henty House. Check out the new gallery on the website here for the entire ongoing project.
Tasmanian Modernism - New website photos & 1000 followers
With the situation we all face with lock-down comes time to work on my photography and updating my website. I have spent a good deal of time working on the Tasmanian 20th Century Modernism project. The Tasmanian Modernism Facebook group has been growing with participation from members sharing photos and thoughts. View the website and new photographs here
I’ve updated the Tasmanian 20th Century Modernism project with a new layout and the addition of new photographs
The Instagram page has just hit 1000 followers! Thank you so much for all of your support. It means a lot and helps me know people are interested in this important part of our heritage. I’ve provided a new layout for the project and added additional galleries such as the Brutalist Henty House Government offices and The former Woolsheds and Silos Launceston. I’ve added new photographs to the galleries too. I want to be able to share the “hero” photographs in the galleries, whilst at the same time not overpopulating each gallery to the point where things become a visual mess.
Henty House Government Offices - Launceston
I'm in a positive dilemma as I have over 10 years of photographs, literally thousands of photos in my archive. Working out what to share and leave out is a real challenge. For many photos that don’t feature in the galleries I will be sharing them on the blog. It’s been fulfilling process editing and remastering my photographs, especially in these strange times we find ourselves in. Spending 7 weeks at the start of 2020 making photos for this project is all the more special now considering the circumstances we are in now - it means I have plenty of photo editing to keep me busy. Check out the “new” and improved website here and let me know what you think and any suggestions you may have.
Launceston Library & Civic Square
I continue to work on editing my photographs for the Tasmanian Modernism project, and now that we are in lock-down it’s been a very productive time in which to dedicate time to it. I notice my last post was back in February - I want to create more posts about Tasmania’s wonderful architecture from the Modernist period, I’ve been trying to find the balance between writing posts that provide not just great photographs but tell some stories behind the history of the subject and perhaps some about my process of making the photographs too. Finding a balance between research and posting blogs is something I need to find a middle ground for otherwise there would only end up a few posts a year!
Launceston Library and Civic Square in their original condition prior to redevelopment
So to make mends to a lack of posts for 3 months here is an edit of the Launceston Library. Designed in the late 1960s it replaced the older Victorian Mechanics Institute. The library has many wonderful period details, the most apparent on the facade being the red bricks which curve. I captured many photographs over the years of the library and the Civic Square precinct in which the library stands. Since this photograph both the library and Civic Square have been altered and redeveloped. I documented these spaces throughout so that there is record for posterity. I also photographed the interior spaces of the library, whilst many of the lower floors had been altered in later years, many of the upper floors retained original period details of which I captured before redevelopment. I love looking back on my photographs and seeing places in a period of time. If you were to stand here today this scene looks quite different. The power and joy of photography for me is to be able to reflect of a given point in time, its there forever - in the form of the photograph In future posts I want to share with you the spaces and buildings that make up Civic Square - a wonderful precinct for Modernism.
Back to Tasmanian Modernism blog
Abandoned Devonport Maternity Hospital
It has been a real joy working through my archives and remastering old photographs for the Tasmanian 20th Century Modernism project This photograph is just about 10 years old to the day! Being able to edit the photographs with the skills I've learnt is a wonderful experience. The first image I have never edited before, this is the first time its seen the light of day since capturing it all those years ago. The process of remastering, finding gems amongst my archives and capturing new photographs is a long process, but I find it such a rewarding one.
Devonport Maternity Hospital - I have never edited this photograph before, its a real joy working through my archives.
Devonport Maternity Hospital
Past, Present and Future - Tasmanian Modernism Project
Part of my process of documenting Tasmanian architecture from the 1930s to 1980s has been remastering my vast collection of photography I've made over the past decade+ pursuit. It's been a wonderfully enjoyable process going through my archives and remastering images with the skills and knowledge I have now. In 2020 I want to edit more photographs and have them up on the new Tasmanian Modernism website. In moving to my new website I've decided to remaster every single one of my photographs for the project. This take time but believe it's well worth the effort and something I thoroughly enjoy. I've just spent the past 7 weeks travelling all over Tasmania documenting places for the project. Check out the new Tasmanian Modernism website here www.tryanphotos.com/tasmanian-modernism
Glass Curtain Wall Architecture in Tasmania - Mid Century Modernism
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.
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
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Former Devonport Police Headquarters
I wasn’t sure about what demolished/altered building to write about for a series of articles that focus on lost Tasmanian Modernism. In my recent blog post Documenting for Posterity - Today is Tomorrows History I discuss how much has changed since I’ve been documenting over the past decade or so - As I said in that post, change is constant, and it motivates me to carry on documenting our built environment.
Former Devonport Police Headquarters - a year prior to its demolition
This was the former Devonport Police Headquarters. Located in Oldaker Street, Devonport, the station was a wonderful example of Mid 20th Century design with the prominent feature being its glass curtain wall, a popular feature of architecture from the 1950s and 1960s. The facade had wonderful aluminium windows that created a pleasing pattern mixed with the light blue panelling. The main entry cantilever is typical of this period too, many Tasmanian designs have this feature in one form or another.
I remember driving to Devonport to capture it for posterity as I had read it was to be demolished. There is always a sense of urgency when I find out a building is to be demolished in order to capture it before its demolished. I made this image on a beautiful autumn day in 2012 and in 2013 the Devonport Police Station was demolished. A farmers market, Providore Place, was built on the site with the newly designed Police Station located in Wenvoe Steet.
As I continue to document and edit my archive photographs I will be adding them to the Tasmanian 20th Century Modernism website gallery for demolished and altered buildings - the gallery can be viewed here