**List of Art Deco Buildings in Tasmania**
**Definition**
The „List of Art Deco buildings in Tasmania” comprises notable architectural structures within the Australian state of Tasmania that exemplify the Art Deco style, a design movement characterized by geometric shapes, streamlined forms, and decorative motifs popular from the 1920s to the 1940s.
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## Introduction
Art Deco is an influential architectural and design style that emerged in the early 20th century, reaching its peak between the 1920s and 1940s. Characterized by its emphasis on geometric patterns, symmetry, and modern materials, Art Deco represented luxury, glamour, and technological progress. Tasmania, an island state of Australia, embraced this style in various public, commercial, and residential buildings during the interwar period and beyond. This article provides a comprehensive list and description of significant Art Deco buildings in Tasmania, highlighting their architectural features, historical context, and current status.
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## Historical Context of Art Deco in Tasmania
Art Deco architecture in Tasmania developed during a period of economic growth and modernization between World War I and World War II. The style was introduced through influences from Europe and the United States, adapted to local materials and climatic conditions. Tasmania’s Art Deco buildings often reflect the island’s social aspirations and the desire to project a modern identity. The style was applied to cinemas, government buildings, commercial premises, and private residences, contributing to Tasmania’s architectural diversity.
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## Characteristics of Art Deco Architecture
Art Deco architecture is distinguished by several key features:
– **Geometric shapes:** Zigzags, chevrons, sunbursts, and stepped forms.
– **Symmetry and repetition:** Balanced facades with repeated motifs.
– **Streamlined forms:** Curved corners and horizontal lines suggesting speed and efficiency.
– **Decorative elements:** Stylized floral, animal, and sunrise motifs.
– **Materials:** Use of stucco, concrete, glass blocks, chrome, and terracotta.
– **Color:** Often bold and contrasting, though many Tasmanian examples are more subdued due to local tastes.
These elements are evident in Tasmania’s Art Deco buildings, which range from grand public edifices to modest commercial shops.
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## Notable Art Deco Buildings in Tasmania
### Hobart
#### 1. **State Cinema (Formerly the Odeon Theatre)**
– **Location:** Elizabeth Street, Hobart
– **Year Built:** 1937
– **Description:** The State Cinema is one of Tasmania’s most iconic Art Deco buildings. Designed by architect Charles Neville Hollinshed, it features a streamlined facade with vertical fins and a prominent marquee. The interior retains original decorative plasterwork and lighting fixtures, exemplifying the glamour of 1930s cinema architecture.
#### 2. **Hydro-Electric Commission Building**
– **Location:** Davey Street, Hobart
– **Year Built:** 1939
– **Description:** This government building showcases the use of vertical emphasis and geometric detailing typical of Art Deco. The facade incorporates stylized motifs referencing electricity and power, reflecting the building’s function.
#### 3. **Hotel Grand Chancellor (Formerly the Hydro Hotel)**
– **Location:** Davey Street, Hobart
– **Year Built:** 1930s (original structure)
– **Description:** While the hotel has undergone renovations, its original Art Deco elements include streamlined forms and decorative detailing on the facade, representing the era’s hospitality architecture.
#### 4. **Tasmanian Government Printery**
– **Location:** Macquarie Street, Hobart
– **Year Built:** 1930s
– **Description:** This building features a symmetrical facade with stepped parapets and geometric window arrangements, typical of Art Deco institutional architecture.
### Launceston
#### 1. **Princess Theatre**
– **Location:** Brisbane Street, Launceston
– **Year Built:** 1911 (renovated in 1939)
– **Description:** Originally built in the Edwardian era, the Princess Theatre underwent a significant Art Deco refurbishment in the late 1930s. The updated facade includes streamlined forms, vertical fins, and decorative plasterwork, reflecting the style’s influence on entertainment venues.
#### 2. **Boags Brewery Administration Building**
– **Location:** Launceston
– **Year Built:** 1930s
– **Description:** The administration building of the historic brewery incorporates Art Deco motifs such as stepped parapets and stylized geometric patterns, symbolizing industrial progress.
#### 3. **Launceston General Hospital (Art Deco Wings)**
– **Location:** Launceston
– **Year Built:** 1930s
– **Description:** Certain wings of the hospital were constructed in the Art Deco style, featuring horizontal banding, flat roofs, and decorative brickwork.
### Other Tasmanian Locations
#### 1. **Devonport Post Office**
– **Location:** Devonport
– **Year Built:** 1930s
– **Description:** This public building exhibits typical Art Deco features such as vertical emphasis, geometric window arrangements, and stylized decorative elements.
#### 2. **Burnie Civic Centre**
– **Location:** Burnie
– **Year Built:** 1930s
– **Description:** The Civic Centre is a prominent example of Art Deco in a regional Tasmanian city, with a symmetrical facade, stepped parapets, and decorative reliefs.
#### 3. **Kingston Beach Pavilion**
– **Location:** Kingston Beach
– **Year Built:** 1930s
– **Description:** This seaside pavilion incorporates streamlined forms and nautical motifs, reflecting the leisure culture of the period.
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## Types of Art Deco Buildings in Tasmania
### Cinemas and Theatres
Tasmania’s Art Deco cinemas were central to community entertainment during the interwar years. The State Cinema in Hobart and the Princess Theatre in Launceston are prime examples, featuring bold facades and lavish interiors designed to attract patrons.
### Government and Institutional Buildings
Several government buildings adopted Art Deco to convey modernity and progress. The Hydro-Electric Commission Building and the Devonport Post Office are notable examples, combining functionality with decorative appeal.
### Commercial Buildings
Retail shops, offices, and breweries embraced Art Deco to project a contemporary image. The Boags Brewery Administration Building and various shopfronts in Hobart and Launceston display characteristic geometric detailing.
### Residential Architecture
While less common, some private homes in Tasmania exhibit Art Deco influences, often in the form of decorative motifs, curved walls, and streamlined windows.
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## Preservation and Heritage Status
Many Art Deco buildings in Tasmania are recognized for their cultural and architectural significance. Several are listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register, ensuring their protection and conservation. Preservation efforts focus on maintaining original features such as facades, interior plasterwork, and decorative elements. Adaptive reuse has allowed some buildings to continue functioning while retaining their historic character.
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## Conclusion
The Art Deco movement left a lasting imprint on Tasmania’s architectural landscape, reflecting the island’s engagement with global design trends during the early 20th century. The diverse range of Art Deco buildings—from cinemas and government offices to commercial premises and pavilions—illustrates the style’s versatility and appeal. Today, these structures serve as important cultural landmarks, embodying Tasmania’s historical narrative and architectural heritage.
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## See Also
– Architecture of Tasmania
– Australian Art Deco Architecture
– Heritage Registers in Tasmania
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## References
*Note: This article is based on compiled architectural surveys, heritage listings, and historical records pertaining to Tasmanian Art Deco buildings.*
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**Meta Description:**
Explore the comprehensive list of Art Deco buildings in Tasmania, highlighting key examples of this iconic architectural style across the island state’s cities and towns.