Wombat 1 Pavilion

Architects: Richard Leplastrier, David Travallia, Student Design Team: School of Environmental Design, TCAE: Helen Bennetts, Gabriel Calcagno, Elena Cole,  Shelly Indyk, Greg Methe, Alan Ruthven, Susan Smith, Andrew Sutherland, Graeme Wathen (1980)

Located in the Australian section of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens overlooking the River Derwent, the timber pavilion was designed and built as a student project led by architect Richard Leplastrier and David Travallia, with sponsorship by the Tasmanian Timber Promotion Board. The design criteria required construction in Tasmanian timber, a flexible building system, workshop fabrication with complete demount ability and on-site fabrication by only two persons with the primary objective of demonstrating the sustainable use of timber in architecture. Designed as an informal meeting place, the structure is open on two sides (to the north and east) with a curved sprung sheet metal roof. A post and beam structure with four-way composite columns and beams is part of a system that incorporated sliding opening panels and is fixed with self-drilling screws and nuts and bolts. All components were of standard size and availability.

Wombat One is a building research project derived from the careful study of Japanese and Scandinavian timber traditions combined with a thorough knowledge of the existing timber and building industry. Underpinning the project is the ability to demonstrate to the building industry the role of design in construction that values timber as a high-quality product rather than a raw resource. The building also represents the educational achievements of the School of Environmental Design under the direction of architect and planner Barry McNeill where the programme encouraged the integration of theory and practice through student-initiated and architect-assisted projects.

Wombat One is a direct reflection of the philosophy of Gold Medal-winning architect Richard Leplastrier with regard to regionalism that incorporates culture, materials and landscape.

In 1980 Wombat One received the Australian Institute of Architects – Tasmanian Chapter Design Award followed by the Triennial John Lee Archer Award for non-residential architecture in 1981.

Tours: Saturday 9 November 2024, 11am, 12pm, 1pm & 2pm