Maria Island

[nickthetasmaniac]

Well, not so much a bushwalk, although there was quite a bit of walking involved, and some stunning landscapes

Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend a design masterclass on Maria Island. The camp was organised by UTas and had some truly inspirational guests involved, including architects Brit Anderson and Richard Leplastrier, as well as landscape artist John Worsley. The majority of the weekend was spent in workshops in and around Darlington, but we did manage to escape for a bit to climb Bishop and Clerk, which I have to say is probably one of my favourite peaks! The views of the Cape Bernier to the south, the Hazards to the north, and a 700m drop to the Tasman Sea to the east are absolutely stunning.

Can't wait to come back in summer with some diving gear!

[stepbystep]

Very nice evocative images

[stu]

Great photos Nick, a nice overall study of the Island.
I remember attending lectures by Richard LePlastrier while I studied Architecture at UTas too;
a very humble man with an inspiring talent & a gentle design philosophy.
Pity I have been swallowed up in the 'business' of Architecture, perhaps one day I'll set myself 'free' again.

[nickthetasmaniac]

I remember attending lectures by Richard LePlastrier while I studied Architecture at UTas too;
a very humble man with an inspiring talent & a gentle design philosophy.

Richard was amazing, I've been to lecturers of his before at the School, but being able to have informal discussions and debates in a setting like Maria was something else. When were you studying at UTas?

It was especially interesting having John Worsley along, artists have such a different way of reading place to architects!

[stu]

Quite some time ago now Nick, finished in 1995?
I'd had enough after the B.Env. Des. degree (when it was in Hobart) & spent a year or more building houses with Architect Steve Sainsbury.
Lots of other jobs after that before settling back down & I specialise in project documantation & detailing these days (Commercial & Residential).

I certainly miss the design days of Uni, tho my emphasis on Theoretical 'speculation' (Deconstructivism, Techno-Morphism etc.) of the time wasn't going to lead to much in 'reality' other than academia; some of my final projects barely contained any drawings & were theoretical disjunctures from anything tangible:
eg. http://www.rudi.net/node/1570

Mind you, I think the school was a little mis-directed in those days (too much emphasis on theoretical thought based on the Architectural zeitgeist);
I think the school is probably a little more pragmatic these days & hopefully there is a 'hands on' component?

My first work in the industry was working on Retirement Villages & work for the various Casinos around the state;
not very inspiring at all & certainly a long way from 'Deconstructivism'.

With such a strong detailing background now I feel I am more ready to become re-involved with the design component...

At least i have the aesthetic of the Tasmanian wilderness to keep me continually inspired, natures Architecture at its grandest

[taswegian]

love these thanks.
never been there and always wanted.
Schouten Island is nearest for me.
That house outlined against the sky is rather striking.
Curious whats the square in upper left (as we view it) on wall at eave height?

[nickthetasmaniac]

Curious whats the square in upper left (as we view it) on wall at eave height?

Not sure! I had a look at the original at 100% and it just looks like a grey square... Anyone else?

[nickthetasmaniac]

Quite some time ago now Nick, finished in 1995?
I'd had enough after the B.Env. Des. degree (when it was in Hobart) & spent a year or more building houses with Architect Steve Sainsbury.
Lots of other jobs after that before settling back down & I specialise in project documantation & detailing these days (Commercial & Residential).

I certainly miss the design days of Uni, tho my emphasis on Theoretical 'speculation' (Deconstructivism, Techno-Morphism etc.) of the time wasn't going to lead to much in 'reality' other than academia; some of my final projects barely contained any drawings & were theoretical disjunctures from anything tangible:
eg. http://www.rudi.net/node/1570

Mind you, I think the school was a little mis-directed in those days (too much emphasis on theoretical thought based on the Architectural zeitgeist);
I think the school is probably a little more pragmatic these days & hopefully there is a 'hands on' component?

My first work in the industry was working on Retirement Villages & work for the various Casinos around the state;
not very inspiring at all & certainly a long way from 'Deconstructivism'.

With such a strong detailing background now I feel I am more ready to become re-involved with the design component...

At least i have the aesthetic of the Tasmanian wilderness to keep me continually inspired, natures Architecture at its grandest

There's a much more 'hand on' element to the school these days. We have a 'new' building at the Inveresk Railyards (I don't know if you've seen it?) and about 1/4 of the building is workshop space, which is great. There's also several permanently running 'Learning by Making' projects, which at the moment are focussed on temporary housing for disadvantaged kids. A new group of students undertake these projects every semester, so most students will have a go at some point.

I'm just beginning my thesis now, although I think it's a little less theoretical than yours! I'm looking at a critical reading of built-form and habitation through the Tasmanian central highlands and southwest wilderness, although I'm still preparing my research proposal so I'm not sure what direction it'll end up taking...