A new interior balances history and contemporary design.
Our refurbishment and fitout of this three-storey building has reshaped a Georgian-era warehouse into a modern multipurpose space for both public and staff at the University of Tasmania. Rather than obscure or confuse the history of the Hobart building, our design makes an honest distinction between old and new.
Heritage meets modern architecture.
The 1800s warehouse had been altered several times since it was first constructed, often in ways that neglected the building’s historical values. We restored this connection by retaining and exposing what was left of the original building, and repairing and patching fabric that was in poor condition. The stripped back heritage space created a backdrop for new architectural elements.
Defining the new.
To make the modern elements feel obviously new, we exposed and framed remnants of history like patches of traditional plasterwork or ceiling rafters. In the meeting room, the raw brickwork and historic sprinkler system contrasts with contemporary lighting, acoustic panelling and joinery. Elsewhere, we framed heritage windows with traditional mouldings, while new windows gained crisp, clean reveals.
