Ever drive past some of the amazing houses in and around our beautiful city and think ‘Man, I’d love to see how the other half live!?’ Or ‘I’ve always wondered what it looked like in that amazing home’… Well, wonder no more, Hobartians! This weekend is the one for you!!!!

After years of witnessing some of Tassie’s out-of-this-world architectural beauty, Open House Hobart is opening its doors once again this weekend (12th and 13th November) for its 10th year anniversary!

Open House Hobart is the most anticipated architecture and design event in Tasmania that opens the most intriguing and impressive buildings to the public. This year, around a hundred unique structures including private homes and historic properties will be available for viewing. 

In true Tassie’s style, it’s ‘first in, best dressed’ for some of these while others don’t require bookings so you can just simply turn up with utmost curiosity at the designated times. 

This program enables locals and visitors to engage and learn more about architecture by experiencing it whilst the important works of Tasmania’s finest are being showcased. Not only does Open House Hobart offer open buildings for viewing, but there are also events, talks, and tours led by architects, designers, historians, and other professionals with local knowledge of the buildings or the vicinity. 

Get ready to learn about a variety of different subjects as far as architecture is concerned. Some of these include planning, landscape, and some property specifics and technicalities such as building heights, heritage preservation, sustainability, and housing affordability. 

With around a hundred options to choose from, you might be wondering which ones you shouldn’t miss. Well, our team at 4one4 Property Co. has figured that one out for you already! We’ve read and researched some of these interesting buildings and here are our top five picks to check out at this year’s Open House Hobart.

Boathouse 

Architects: Maguire + Devine Architects (2021)
Location: 135 Derwent Avenue, Lindisfarne
Tours: Sunday 13th November (10 am, 10:30 am, 11 am, 11:30 am, 12 pm, 12:30 pm, and 1 pm)

Let’s start our list with an awe-inspiring contemporary design. Fans of modern architecture and water lovers will certainly adore how this property was planned and structured. From its name itself, The Boathouse lets you experience living on the water’s edge. Imagine how peaceful the everyday views are and how calming the natural sound of the river from this residential masterpiece is. 

The edge condition of this home reflects safety and privacy–almost like a refuge or a safe haven for everyone under its roof. As described on Open House Hobart’s website, “the building was conceived as a sculpted object in the landscape”. It seems like just a creative metaphor but all you can do is agree when you witness this in person. You might have to book a schedule, though, but its meticulous design is definitely worth the travel!

#TheBaeTAS

Architects: Alex Nielsen, Liz Walsh (2018)
Location: Unit 12, 8 Margaret Street, Sandy Bay
Tours: Saturday 12th November (10 am – 4 pm)

While a bigger home is everyone’s dream, this flexible work of art proves that small and cosy homes can just be as convenient and charming. If you could just maximise the available space, you could certainly make the most of your place–just exactly how the two award-winning, emerging architects of #TheBaeTAS worked for this home.

This gem is a reimagined ’70s bedsit–with the floorplan reconfigured, services tightened up, and some tricky joinery implemented–including the well-thought-of foldaway kitchen, bathroom, and bed allowing different modes of use and flexibility within the tiny 26.5 sqm floor plan. This is how space-saving ideas function: they work like magic. 

Dorney House at Fort Nelson

Architects: Unknown (1904) (Fort Nelson), Esmond Dorney (1949, 1966 and 1978) (Dorney House)
Location: 24 Gardenia Grove, Sandy Bay, TAS
Tours: Saturday 12th November (10 am – 4 pm)

Crowd-favourite since it was first included in 2014, you should check out this ‘humble masterpiece’ if you haven’t yet and witness how it evolved in three iterations–all designed by Dorney. Built in 1978 for the architect’s family, this home is now owned and managed by the Hobart City Council.  

Featuring a stunning panoramic view of the Derwent estuary, this also offers multiple radiating split levels with a sunken lounge and interior. It is located atop the abandoned fortifications of Fort Nelson, so expect a courtesy shuttle bus to transport you to the house from Gardenia Grove. 

As a celebration of the Open House Hobart’s 10th anniversary, architecture enthusiast and Open House ambassador Tim Ross will present  ‘An Afternoon in the Dorney House’, depicting a “hilarious, nostalgic, personal, and poignant journey through our unique relationship with the Australian home.”

Stone Flower | The Barn

Architects: Unknown (1800s) Maria Gigney (Studio Ilk Architecture & Interiors) (2010)
Location: 20 Forest Road, West Hobart, TAS
Tours: Saturday 12th November (1 pm – 4 pm) & Sunday 13th November (10 am – 1 pm)

One of the fundamentals of architecture and design is having a solid foundation. This reimagined and improved accommodation project certainly checks that qualification–literally and figuratively. 

Strong and sturdy with the stone materials used outside, the interior is a mixture treat of sophistication and contemporary and a collision of class and comfort–all combined in one. With a very limited budget, The Barn reused the remnants of its original structure: from repurposing every piece of timber, retaining all of the stones, and reinventing some of the original elements to the improved architectural art. The end-product? A priceless prize!

Bozen’s Cottage

Architects: Unknown (1842), Taylor & Hinds Architects (2019)
Location: 15 Marlborough Street, Oatlands
Tours: Sunday 13th November (11 am, 11:45 am, and 12:30 pm)

If you’re fond of classic and timeless designs, you’ll love how the architects of Bozen’s Cottage approach this evocative building. This is the real-life representation of the ‘old-world charm meets modern convenience’. It envelopes both the past and present times of the house as it honours the stories of the generation of families who once lived here before.

The genius restoration of this Georgian cottage in a historic Tasmanian village is executed in timber and mild steel. The exterior was reconditioned and “a series of judicious erasures of the accumulated layers of building fabric was made in order to uncover the original Georgian aspirations of the interior”. 

Those are just a few of the many interesting and impressive buildings and homes featured at this year’s Open House Hobart. We admit we had a tough time choosing just 5 out of all these amazing creations. But one thing is for sure: these places will tickle the curiosity of architecture fans, mystery lovers, and stickybeaks. More than ever, it is very fitting for its decade celebration to finally open its doors again to interstate visitors which was stopped in 2020 because of the global pandemic. 

The fun continues online! You may also share your amazing photos of your favourite places and the stories that go with them on Instagram and Facebook to enter this year’s photo competition. Don’t forget to use the hashtags #oh_hobart and #oh_launceston to be eligible for the host of prizes. 

For more details and information about Open House Hobart 2022, you may visit https://openhousehobart.org/