Port Arthur Resort Tasmania, Australian Pavilion Design Image, World Heritage Site

Port Arthur Resort : Tasmanian Building

Translucent Pavilion Buildings design by Circa Architecture

18 Aug 2011

Location: Tasmania, Australia

Design: Circa Architecture, Australia

Port Arthur Resort Tasmania

photos from FD

Port Arthur Resort

Port Arthur is a place of inhumanity and suffering, once described as ‘the hell hole of the British Empire.’ It was recently given a World Heritage listing in recognition of the convict site’s cultural attributes as an intrinsically pivotal part of the founding of Australia.

A national architectural competition sought to answer the question of how to add a culturally sensitive new resort within the World Heritage site boundaries. This winning solution proposed a new village of 34 independent translucent pavilions, reminiscent of the cottages that formerly occupied the site, all of which were destroyed by bushfires in the late 1800’s.

The original convict settlement was a testimony to independence and sustainability. It was a completely self-reliant community, and the new resort will create a 21st century interpretation of this – both as a responsible design approach and as an educational tool. Intrinsic to this was creating a guest pavilion design where its diaphanous translucent polycarbonate skin naturally warmed and cooled the interior spaces, as well as giving the building form a ‘ghost like’ ambiguity.

A fully operational prototype has been constructed to test the environmental performance with a range of climatic data recorded from the pavilion over the last three years. This measurement & evaluation process confirms that initial design approach and will feedback into the ensuing resort project.

The overall resort is currently proceeding along the extremely complex process of achieving regulatory approval prior to starting construction.

Port Arthur Resort Tasmania images / information from Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects

Port Arthur Resort Tasmania design : Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects

Location: Port Arthur Resort, Tasmania, Australia

Tasmanian Building Designs

Tasmanian Buildings on e-architect – key architectural selection below:

Kelvedon Park Club House,
Design: AKA Architects

photo : Natasha Mulhall
Kelvedon Park Club House
With arguably the most picturesque ground in Australia, the original change rooms left a lot to be desired. The redevelopment at Kelvedon Park has provided inspiring, modern facilities for the Taroona Football Club.

Origami House, Hobart
Design: Matt Williams Architects

photo : Adam Gibson
Origami House, Hobart
This new Tasmanian building is located on a remnant internal block in inner Hobart, Tasmania, surrounded by nine neighbours. The property folds it’s way across and down the site, creating private outside and inside spaces for clients that were as focused on the garden as they were on their new home.

Riverview House, Sandy Bay
Architects: Studio Ilk Architecture + Interiors

photo : Peter Mathew
Riverview House, Sandy Bay
‘De-clutter my life!’ was the overriding theme to Studio Ilk Architecture + Interiors’ client’s brief. Riverview House had to have a place for everything and the provision to conceal the ordinary items of daily life to give a sense of calm and space, to provide the feeling of being in a holiday home.