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Text description provided by the architects. Makers’ Workshop represents a major investment in a post-industrial future by the town of Burnie, on Tasmania’s north-west coast. Until recently, the town has been known primarily for its large scale industries, such as the massive waterfront pulp and paper mill, and busy port.
A local initiative born from the town’s paper heritage, Creative Paper, has built a reputation for high quality, handmade paper products. In addition, the town has a rich sense of its heritage as a rural centre.
![Burnie Makers’ Workshop / TERROIR - Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5013/43c1/28ba/0d0e/f000/09bc/medium_jpg/stringio.jpg?1414009528)
TERROIR transformed the brief for a new visitor and cultural facility, combining the industry and museum components into something even more community oriented, with the idea of providing a ‘living room’ for the town.
A five-spoke diagram is centered on an orientation hub that has free access for the public and features items from the museum’s collection. Each of the five spokes (or arms) houses a different function – back of house, paper-making workshop, multipurpose exhibition/theatre, café and a combined retail/gallery space – and within some are individual ‘pods’ for local ‘makers’ with whom the public can interact.
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Each spoke terminates with a large picture window that captures portions of the panoramic view – identifying different aspects of Burnie: port, town, hinterland, Bass Strait and adjacent heritage buildings.
Contextually, the building is understood as part of the collection of industrial objects along the coast. Rather than adopt a sentimental pseudo-industrial aesthetic, however, these objects have been re-imagined as giant ‘toys’ with which this project joins.
Our toy is a lighthouse of sorts on the western headland above the beach, a sentinel both for passing ships and for the locals. The translucent Danpalon cladding, providing an ever-changing façade throughout the day, furthers its lighthouse quality.
The project was completed within a remarkable 15 months from the initial briefing, due in large part to the client’s strong vision, developed in association with cultural and tourism-related projects strategic consultants, and the shared commitment from the team of contractors.
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The Burnie City Council’s appreciation of the benefits of seeking innovative, contemporary design for this important project for the Burnie community and the value of engaging a young and energetic team to achieve a unique outcome is, in our experience, exemplary.