hobart horticultural school

Architect
Michael R. Cooper and Associates

Design team:
Michael Cooper and Robert Armsby

Owner
Hobart City Council

Builder
Tascon Pty Ltd

Location
Takari Place, Mornington Tasmania

Date Completed
1997

Curved Glue Laminated Beams

This project began with the need to convert and expand two staff and amenity terrapins into a teaching facility for horticultural trainees. The client originally wanted to bring in a third terrapin to be the classroom. However, the architects convinced them that they should make an additional effort and create a bright and airy complex of buildings suited to the young trainees who would learn there.

As a consequence, the two existing terrapins were brought to the same level and renovated and a new classroom building was constructed parallel to them. The three structures were then bound together with an enclosed internal courtyard.

The architect believed that for buildings of this size and type, timber construction and detailing is the most appropriate solution. He felt that the use of curved and laminated timber beams was economical for the size of elements and architecture forms he envisaged.

Inside the classroom building of the finished building, these curved beams are exposed and clear finish. They appear as strong visual elements within the context of a restrained internal palette of colours and materials. Externally, the laminated beams and columns of the shelter roof and portico are exposed but brightly painted, to brighten the building and make it an attractive and interesting place to work and learn.

Throughout the building, the timbers used are robust and the detailing strong and deliberately expressive. Though the vandal proofing the building was necessary, the use of colour and the textural forms of the timber remove any hint of a constrained and institutional building.

Description

This small complex has three enclosed buildings joined by an internal courtyard. The two minor building were existing terrapins that were gutted, re-roofed and re-clad. The major building is one 7.2 m wide hall that can be divided into two classrooms, each with its own store and preparation area.

The complex is almost completely a timber structure. Above the concrete footings, laminated timber posts support 330x65 laminated timber bearers and conventional floor joists. The walls are framed from 90x42 kiln-dried hardwood. Curved glue laminated beams, springing from 135x135 laminated posts, support the roof structure over the classrooms, the internal courtyard and the deck. In the classroom, shiplap lining boards forms the ceiling between the beams, while in the courtyard, the brightly painted structure is exposed. The buildings are clad in treated pine weatherboards.