People walk toward a large, modern building with a distinct white slatted facade and glass-walled entrance. In the foreground, visitors gather on a paved plaza featuring concrete benches and low-lying vegetation.
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FermenTasmania

Launceston, Tasmania 2021

Nurturing a unique industry.

Part production facility, part laboratory, part agri-tourism drawcard, this global-first Hub combines form and function to support Tasmania’s budding fermentation industry.

Our client, FermenTasmania, approached us to design a world-class innovation facility containing specialised equipment, production areas, educational rooms, and an accessible public face. The result is a versatile, functional space, balanced with an inviting exterior and conceptual landscape that celebrates the Hub’s unique industry.

Layers and cultures.

Situated northwest of Launceston along the busy West Tamar highway, the sparse setting created both a challenge and an opportunity for our design. The corners of the facade, playfully raised to pique the interest of passersby, offer a glimpse into the Hub’s inner workings and subtly connect its function to the immediate landscape.

A series of diagrams that show how the form of the building was derived, highlighting scale, entrances and internal use of the space.

Moulds, yeast cultures, bacteria.

The facility’s grounds, as if looking at a Petri dish under a microscope, reference the science behind fermentation through the art of sculptural planting.

The roof, which follows the alternating contours of the facade, creates a functional second level for necessary plant equipment. Once inside, visitors discover the Hub’s purpose through exposed components and accessible production areas.

An overhead site plan displays a large rectangular building, a parking area with cars, and winding paths through landscaped gardens. Dashed lines mark the "SITE BOUNDARY" around the various tree clusters and facilities.