Inspiration

For over 110 years the name Britton has been synonymous with timber and the North West Tasmanian community. The Britton brothers who arrived in the cold, wet blackwood swaps of Northern Tasmanian in 1907 could not have imagined that a century later their family would be leaders and innovators in the Australian forest industry. They couldn’t have comprehended that the business would be so vertically integrated to eliminate waste that the offcuts from the Britton Timber mill would be used as boiler fuel for the local McCains potato factory, the local pool and vast flower farms of the north west would use their sawdust to heat their greenhouses.

Tasmania’s private forests and plantations play a crucial role in the state’s timber industry. Tasmania’s private forest estate is a significant contributor to the state’s forestry landscape, covering about 32% of the forest area.1 The estate comprises of industrial and non-industrial growers, that is industrial companies who own native forests and/or plantations and process their timber, and non-industrial owners such as farmers, individuals, family, and investment companies that usually sell their wood for processing by others.2

Forestry in Tasmania is a complex and nuanced mix of science, sustainably and stewardship. Deeply connected with each of these principles is David White, Tasmania’s Forest Operations Manager for the southern region. Originally from Canada, David studied forestry at the University of British Columbia, going on to work as a forester on Vancouver Island before arriving to work in Tasmania’s forests 16 years ago. At Sustainable Timber Tasmania, David manages a team of highly skilled forestry experts who coordinate the short and long-term planning practices of Tasmania’s forests to ensure the forests are managed responsibly for generations to come, becoming healthier with each regeneration.

Kanamaluka House by Gillian van der Schans is a project grounded in sustainability. Championing the use of local materials, it is constructed in a way that allows its inhabitants to observe and experience the natural Tasmanian landscape and environment. The name of the home is the first nations name for the Tamar River. Kanamuluka House gracefully rests amongst the thriving and abundant flora and fauna native to the area. The brief called for a timeless aesthetic and a crafted home that would be a gathering space for the client’s young adult children to return to for family gatherings, a home that would act as a base for current and future generations. With these requirements in mind, Tasmanian timbers were chosen to build this family home for the owners to enjoy now and long into the future.

Drawing inspiration from a lifetime of exploring Tasmania’s lush and rugged landscape on foot, Cumulus Studio’s latest completed project has been shaped by the trail less travelled. As passionate bushwalkers and enthusiasts of Tasmania’s Wilderness, the vision for West Hobart House emerged from the client’s deep connection to the land. With a palette reflecting the colours, tones, and textures reminiscent of Tasmania’s iconic bushwalking huts, Tasmanian Oak was chosen to help establish warmth and a connection to the beloved memories created along some of Tasmania’s treasured bushwalking trails.

Set in Hobart’s outer suburb of Midway Point sits the newly designed and renovated Lady Gowrie Early Learning Centre. Originally built in the 1970s, the red-orange brick building required an update to deinstitutionalize the space. The brief was to create an atmosphere that would ease the anxieties of children and parents, fostering an environment that’s equal parts inviting and inspiring. Calling on the expertise of Tasmanian architecture practice Cumulus Studio, the centre has been reimagined establishing a strong connection to the natural environment through design and material selection. Grounded in principles of sustainable design, the centre challenges the existing model of Australia’s child care centres and places Tasmanian Oak at the fore.