http://www.jawsarchitects.com/rss Get the latest news from the JAWS ARCHITECTS with this RSS feed. en-us Fahan Mon, 21 Jun 10 00:00:00 +1000

JAWSARCHITECTS has received a Public Architecture Award for the Fahan Gymnasium and Performing Arts Centre at the 2010 Australian Institute of Architects Tasmanian Chapter Awards Presentation on Saturday night. We were delighted that Tony Freeman, Principal of Fahan and his wife Anne could join us to celebrate this wonderful achievement for the school.

The full Awards Jury Citation reads as follows:


“The Fahan Gymnasium and Performing Arts Centre in Sandy Bay demonstrates dexterous handling of architectural program, formal sophistication and inventive landscaping, simultaneously addressing the usual financial and practical constraints of contemporary educational design projects.

A privileged setting of sculptured terrain, impressive views over the Derwent, and established gardens, the site nevertheless demanded sensitivity toward its encroaching residential context. This challenge has been skilfully resolved by the tactic of nestling the major components of the project close to site contours as a series of diminishing but related volumes and terraces, woven together with continuous swathes of green roof, paths and play spaces.

The resultant topography not only provides outdoor spaces of diverse scale and aspect for the intimacy and intrigue of schoolyard politics, but creates a dynamic architectural promenade through the project, meshing building, landscape and existing campus in a rich spatial narrative. Preserving the natural valley of the site, all the main spaces of the project – gymnasium, change rooms, multi-purpose performance and practice rooms – have been quarried into the hill, reducing the normally obdurate bulk of the gymnasium, and aiding thermal and acoustic performance.

The practical pre-cast concrete structural system, with its exposed aggregate and flutes, heightens a sense of geological unity with the place. Any evocation of melancholy created by the powerful bunker-like forms is offset, however, by a nimble handling of interior and occupational issues. Particularly effective is the proportioning of student-scaled alcoves, windows, and skylights, reinforced by a distinctive colour palette and striking graphics which reflect light throughout the otherwise grey spaces in a manner reminiscent of, but appropriately more whimsical than, Le Corbusier’s late works. “
]]> Erin Sun, 13 Jun 10 00:00:00 +1000
Congratulations to JAWS Associate Fiona Graham and partner Phil on the safe arrival of their beautiful baby daughter Erin.]]> JAWS HOLD WEEKEND DESIGN RETREAT Fri, 21 May 10 00:00:00 +1000
The JAWS team recently held a weekend retreat at a secluded location on the east coast of Tasmania.

The weekend focused on the design culture within the office, including an exploration of the common themes and shared values that characterise our work.

A highlight of the weekend was a visit to a new house designed by Glenn Murcutt in association with JAWS under construction near Four Mile Creek.]]> http://jawsarchitects.com/#/Projects/Featured/Mako Series Pre-Made Transportable Homes/ Thu, 08 Apr 10 00:00:00 +1000 Information and photos can be viewed on this website. ]]> Cassandra Wed, 24 Mar 10 00:00:00 +1100 Since her last stint with us in 2005, Cassandra has gained extensive experience, working on numerous projects in Tasmania and New South Wales in the Hospitality, Commercial, Public, Retail and Residential sectors.


]]>