Fitzpatrick + Partners Studio
April 13, 2021
"We're very much known for the big picture right down to the detail, and I think designing into a new place where we're going to live, it was very important that the studio express what we are, where we're going and what we do. We are on a pathway towards becoming carbon neutral, and so the selection of the materials was really important to us. Both for the physicality of the material, what it offers in terms of that carbon neutrality and the journey, but also what it says to our clients. Tasmanian timber offers such a wide range of products for many, many different uses, so tends to be our go-to to start with, but also we get great support from the local industry. We can actually talk to the owners, the designers, the craftsmen of the products, and say, what about? how can we do this? what's your opinion? It's always that openness to explore, and if they don't know, there's always someone down there on the end of the line that can give us those answers. The entry wall and the ceiling are all solid Tas Oak profiles, so it's very much built like a stud wall with bearers and bracing, but we just closed up the centres and then got a bit smart, so we did all the engineering and cutting of the works with the CNC machines and all the fixings come from the back, so it's a very fine combination of a great product and some smart engineering. We worked with Simon Ancher. Simon's a Launceston-based furniture designer. Fantastic portfolio work, easy person to work with, can-do attitude. We've got some lovely pieces in all our work stools scattered around the studio, some meeting room furniture with leather cushions, and then all our breakout spaces as well, done by Simon. One of the key decisions was the floor and being an architectural studio, there are endless choices of materials. It's a Tas Oak floor, but it's laid on a plywood backing. It's an efficient use of timber, we weren't wasting a valuable resource. Fantastic for an office environment in that it gave us a great speed of delivery, so the planks arrived, they were laid, they're pre-finished, we didn't have to worry about sanding floors and that made it possible to put it into a work environment on a very large area, where it's over 700 square metres of the flooring here, in an efficient time. The light colours that the Tassie Oak offers allow reflected light back up onto the ceiling and back indirectly into the workspace, and then into the evenings, the warmer tones are picked up in the Tassie Oak and it really enhances that comfort, warmth. People actually now come in and visit and say, wow, look at that timber floor. Yeah, right. Why did we always start putting carpet into working environments? It seems a crazy thing to do." James Fitzpatrick (Principal), Fitzpatrick + Partners (Sydney)
Tasmanian Oak delivers the wow factor in fitzpatrick+partners new Sydney CBD office
April 13, 2021
Playing a role in the development of a city’s skyline is no easy task. But with decades of experience, knowledge and expertise, that’s just what the bustling office of Sydney based architecture firm Fitzpatrick + Partners have been doing. From high rise office buildings to ingenious health infrastructure to bespoke residential projects, Director James Fitzpatrick has played a crucial part in designing the look and feel of Australia’s biggest cities.
Webinar: Tasmanian Veneers
March 2, 2021
Tasmanian veneers have long been sought after for a variety of applications with some stunning examples of the capability of the product in beautiful furniture and custom doors and cabinetry. Veneer has traditionally been revered for its uniformity. The matchless repetition created by thinly slicing timber from one larger piece was sought after for cabinetry and linings, particularly in large commercial fit-outs.
From bay views to beer taps, JAWS Architects uses Tasmanian Oak to tell a local story
February 23, 2021
With a commitment to design excellence, the team at Jaws Architects have taken on a diverse range of projects around Tasmania and beyond in their 90 plus years of existence. Now, the team of twelve including Director Scott Verdouw, are highly respected for their professionalism, creative innovation and exceptional design. Discussing two of their latest projects, the Rosny Hill House and Cascade Brewery, Scott Verdouw walks us through the brief and shares why the use of Tasmanian Oak in both projects was a natural choice.
Tried, trusted and true, Tasmanian Oak is a natural fit for Hobart’s Studio ilk
February 15, 2021
Working as an architect for 15 years, and in the profession for 18, Kate Symons’ focus has always been on one thing: the client. Customising and creating bespoke residential homes has been her specialty. After 5 years of co-directing architectural practice MGA.I, in the midst of 2020, Symons established her very own Hobart based practice, Studio ilk.
Rustic but refined, Tasmanian Timber brings a bushy luxury to these Queensland homes
February 9, 2021
Four years ago Architect Damian Goode founded his own firm, Hive Architecture, following a number of years at several well-known architecture firms in Brisbane. He now splits his time on projects between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. The sunny skies and laid-back attitude of Queensland’s coastline is a striking contrast from the wet and wild climate that favors the growth of some of Tasmania’s finest native timbers. Specified for use in several of Damian’s latest projects, Tasmanian timber added a touch rustic luxury to two Queensland homes.
Au naturale. Tasmanian Oak stuns in its organic form in these Melbourne homes
February 1, 2021
Health. Balance. Harmony. Melbourne architect and interior designer, Melanie Beynon has grounded her practice in these principles, creating designs that bring a positive effect on her client’s health and wellbeing. Practicing as an interior designer in the UK and Melbourne for 20 years and as an architect for 10 years, Melanie Beynon’s designs encapsulate a holistic approach, fixing on the finest of details to support the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of a building’s inhabitants. To help bring these principles to life on her latest projects, Tasmanian Oak was specified for its natural tones, texture and beauty.
A beacon of tranquility, Tasmanian Oak shines in the Lantern House by Timmins + Whyte
December 3, 2020
Setting up shop in the Melbourne suburb of Collingwood 13 years ago, architecture studio Timmins + Whyte have established themselves in the Melbourne architecture scene, creating contextual designs and bespoke buildings that solve problems for their clients. But Melbourne hasn’t always been home for half of the Timmins + Whyte duo. Having been born and raised in Tasmania and having studied architecture at the University of Tasmania, Sally Timmins says Tasmania will always be in her bones, and the use of its timbers will too.
Concrete and Blonde Bombshell- Tasmanian Oak helps transform this Sydney heritage home
November 30, 2020
Originally built at the turn of the 20th century, a classic heritage home along the tree lined streets of Sydney’s inner west suburb of Annandale, has just undergone a major makeover by the team from Sydney based architecture studio, Carter Williamson. Brought to life to meet this century’s demands but highlighting some of the home’s original quirks and attributes, ‘Concrete Blonde’ offers an oasis for its occupants to come home to that is tactile, warm and playful.
Tasmanian Oak? Andrew Simpson Architects say Y not
November 16, 2020
Having trained as an architect and interior designer with over 20 years of practice and a strong connection to academia, Andrew Simpson is the founding director at his own practice, Andrew Simpson Architects. Spending time studying, teaching and working in cities around the world, Andrew now calls Melbourne home but the learnings from his time abroad influence and inspire his projects today. Working on a range of projects including residential, university and healthcare, the studio’s latest project along the Great Ocean Road is what holiday home dreams are made of.
Forget Hardness. Stability places Tasmanian Oak at the top of the flooring market.
October 7, 2020
If you walk into any one of Tasmania or Victoria’s heritage homes, chances are Tasmanian Oak floorboards will be underfoot. Sturdily withstanding the wear and tear of generations, there’s a reason why this timber has been the flooring of choice in Tasmania and beyond for over a century.
Tasmanian Veneer – uniformity or inimitability? The Specifiers ‘lolly-shop'
September 7, 2020
Tasmanian veneers have long been sought after for a variety of applications with some stunning examples of the capability of the product in beautiful furniture and custom doors and cabinetry. Veneer has traditionally been revered for its uniformity. The matchless repetition created by thinly slicing timber from one larger piece was sought after for cabinetry and linings, particularly in large commercial fitouts.
Tasmania’s Native Special Species Timber - available for specification
September 2, 2020
Tasmania, with its unique geography and environment, has some of the finest cool temperate native forests in the world and an expanding hardwood and softwood plantation estate. Using only the soil, sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide from the air, these forests produce a diverse and premium range of beautiful timbers in substantial quantities. Renowned for almost 200 years, each species has its own character and individual richness.
Cast Your Vote for the People’s Choice Award at the Australian Timber Design Awards
August 20, 2020
With entries for the Australian Timber Design Awards now closed and voting for the ‘People’s Choice Award’ under way, we are thrilled to announce that 18 of these stunning projects contain locally and sustainably grown Tasmanian Timber.
Tasmanian Timber launches free monthly webinar series for architects & builders
August 11, 2020
The Tasmanian Timber campaign will be hosting a monthly webinar series covering all things Tasmanian Timber.
Tasmanian Blackwood heats things up at London Restaurant, Mama Fuego
August 6, 2020
Mama Fuego is a 700sqm restaurant outside of London’s North Greenwich Pier. With a playful nod to the 60’s and 70’s throughout the interior’s luxe fit-out, the theme of the restaurant is brought to life through the use of the warm tones utilizing 50 cubic meters of sustainably sourced Tasmanian Blackwood found throughout the space.
Custom for a cause
August 4, 2020
Crafting one of his signature pieces the ‘Custom Sideboard’, made entirely from local and sustainably sourced Tasmanian Oak, Australian designer-maker Martin Johnston will be selling raffle tickets for a lucky winner to be the owner of this pristine example of superior craftsmanship.
With a history steeped in quality, Astra Furniture is a proud manufacturer of 100% Australian made furniture
July 6, 2020
With 40 years in the furniture manufacturing business, there’s one thing owner and director of Astra Furniture Arki Tsorakidis won’t sacrifice, and that’s quality. Priding the decades old business in making exceptional furniture all manufactured within Australia, the family run business operates out of a 30,000 square foot factory using state of the art technology to ensure precision and the finest hardwoods they can get ahold of, including Tasmanian Oak and Blackwood. Using Tasmanian species to make their sturdy and lasting hardwood timber furniture, each piece is made to stand the test of time, making a true statement of sustainability.
Questions on Tasmanian Timber? Ask an expert.
June 22, 2020
Tasmanian Timber has teamed up with the Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood (CSAW) at the University of Tasmania to deliver a free expert timber helpline service. The free-call service is available to anyone specifying timber and using Tasmanian timber, and provides support on choosing the right timber for the right application, obtaining quotes from suppliers, and troubleshooting problems throughout a project. Michael Lee, a timber industry technical pro, operates the helpline, supported by 20 PHD candidates from the School of Architecture who are at the cutting edge of timber research.
