The weekend of 9th and 10th November 2024, completes the offering with open houses and buildings delivering some incredible tours and places of interest.
The public is invited to experience architecture in all its shapes and forms from the tiny footprint of thebaeTAS, an experiment in micro-living by So.Architecture (formerly workbylizandalex), and the Bridge of Remembrance with Denton Corker , Sinclair House – by Esmond Dorney, the Forestry Building, with its iconic timber structured dome by Morris-Nunn and Associates, is being retained and restored to transform it into a learning hub for the University of Tasmania by Woods Bagot.
Sunday has Bruny Island on offer with Captain Kelly’s Cottage, Wardle Studio; Shearers Quarters, also Wardle; Bruny Island Hideaway by Maguire and Devine Architects; Coopworth by FMD Architects and Killora Bay by Tanner Architects all opening their doors.
As a real treat, Fiona Dunin of FMD Architects will be in conversation with Nicky Adams over a lunch prepared by Dunin of slow cooked lamb. The talk will take place in the kitchen of Coopworth Tamania with the rural setting providing a splendid backdrop to her talk.
For those who don’t manage to book Bruny Island in time, Sunday has a host of fabulous projects outside Hobart including Tiger House by Morrison & Breytenbach Architects. Strong forms and grey timbers are punctuated by large picture windows in this fabulous repeat form dwelling. It is in fact, this kind of treat that makes Hobart Open House particularly interesting with access to all sorts of rarely seen projects.
For those interested in historical architecture, Hobart has some magnificent examples that will be open. These include Government House, Tasmania; Domain House; Corinda; Anglesea Barracks; Prince of Wales Hotel; Roslyn Estate; Queen Victoria Gunpowder Magazine and many many more. The restoration of the Philip Smith Centre is an insightful and recent accomplishment by Lovell Chen that leverages the original design’s capacity for light and ventilation as a healthy space for learning. It is now a purpose-built learning and teaching facility for the University of Tasmania.
While Open House Hobart is free, and many buildings don’t require registration, bookings are required for some tours, events, and buildings. Check the details on the website. Bookings can be made at https://openhousehobart.org/hobart/.
Along with open building and tours, the program includes a series of events, including talks, exhibitions, a silent art auction fundraiser and a drawing masterclass.
Organised and run by the Tasmanian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, Open House Hobart is the local version of a global event first held in London in 1992 and now staged in more than 30 cities around the world. It gives visitors the chance to see how others live, work and play; look up, look inside, have a sticky-beak, and see the city from a different angle.
Next up: Fashioning furniture with digital designer Elyza Veta