Triabunna Gatehouse hits world stage at 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale

On Saturday May 26th 2018, the 16th Biennale Architecture opened at the Giardini and Arsenale in Venice, Italy. The small town of Triabunna on Tasmania’s east coast was quietly celebrating as the Triabunna Gatehouse situated at the entrance to the town is featured as part of Australia’s exhibition themed Repair. The exhibition will highlight the importance of environmental rehabilitation in architectural practice.

The Triabunna Gatehouse is featured in an experiential video series, created by Linda Tegg and Baracco and Wright, authored by David Fox, which showcases 15 Australian projects, built and unbuilt, that exemplify various approaches to repairing the natural environment. The projects were selected following a nation-wide search that received 126 submissions and will be displayed on five-metre-high screens within the pavilion.

The Triabunna Gatehouse is the first built outcome of a revitalisation project for the town called Triabunna Tomorrow, which is driven by Glamorgan Spring Bay Council (GSBC) under the guidance of Gilby + Brewin Architecture.

The overall purpose of the Gatehouse is to create a welcoming, memorable and meaningful entry experience to the town. The Gatehouse is designed to encourage visitors travelling the Great Eastern Drive to ‘Just Stop’ and discover Triabunna, Spring Bay and the magic of the Maria Island National Park.

Anna Gilby and Ross Brewin began their investigations into the site with a speculative research and design studio at Monash University, held in collaboration with the University of Tasmania. It was their careful ongoing investigations that led them to being commissioned to undertake an urban design study at Triabunna in 2014, the former forestry town that is forging a new identity. The Triabunna Gatehouse was conceived to kickstart a process of township revitalization.
 
The Gatehosue was built by GSBC with the assistance of a grant from the State Growth Tourism Funding Program. It is symbolic of a bigger vision for the Great Eastern Drive to be characterised by a series of interesting and architecturally designed buildings along the entire touring route that will include toilets or “loos with a view”, look-outs, walkways and picnic areas that all take advantage of and showcase our landscape and marine environment.

The Gatehouse is a built symbol of the positive change and optimism within the township of Triabunna. In being a little bold, daring and ambitious the township now has a very interesting building that is memorable and engaging for visitors whilst framing what is unique and interesting about the Spring Bay area, including a focus on the Maria Island National Park.

The Gatehouse was recently featured in the Architecture Australia magazine March/April 2018 edition and is described by Richard Black as:

“Marking arrival at this post-industrial township on Tasmania’s east coast, the Triabunna Gatehouse by Gilby and Brewin Architecture is a “visual feast”, inscribed with complex narratives of a place in flux.”
Acting Mayor, Councillor Chery Arnol