Abstract:
Burnie Makers' Workshop represents a major investment in the future of a town on the north-west coast of Tasmania coming to terms with its post-industrial reality. Until recent times, the town has been known primarily for its key large scale industries and the servicing of these via the port area. The largest of these industrial plants is the large pulp and paper mill on the waterfront. Over recent years, a local initiative, Creative Paper, has built a culture of high quality product and value-adding upon the base level industrial paper production. In addition, the role of town as a gateway to the fertile farming lands of Tasmania has not been forgotten. This twin focus - creative industry and museum - provided the basis for the project and TERROIR transformed this visitor centre brief into a living room for the town, built around these two functions but incorporating café, theatre and other activities. The building is understood as part of the collection of industrial objects along the coast, re-imagined as giant 'toys' (Schaik, Timms). Our 'toy' is a lighthouse of sorts, perched on the western headland above the beach, a sentinel both for passing ships and for the locals whom we hope will make this the living room of the city. Five key functions each occupy an arm of the building with the central space providing access and general orientation. The radiating arms which generate a series of spaces of different orientations and enclosure to be used all year round.
