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 rooftop design inspiration

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105 THE brief to design Eagles' Eyrie at Abbotts Lookout at Maydena presented Tasmanian company 1+2 Architecture with the exciting and inspiring challenge to come up with a building that blended into the landscape yet offered unparalleled views of the `rooftop of Tasmania'.

Partner Fred Ward said the project was testament to the vision and determination of Forestry Tasmania.

He also said Vos Construction played a critical role in the design.

They got together with legendary structural engineer Jim Gandy and presented us with an affordable and buildable lightweight and tough structural system that unlocked the project for us and in the end was the key to making the design work," he said.

"They also had the challenge of building 1100 metres above sea level with no vehicular access or services, in 75 metre per second winds, working up to their knees in snow and ice without an excavator, with minimal use of steel and without causing environmental damage."

Mr Ward said Forestry Tasmania was to be commended for approaching the development with the highest degree of consideration and care.

"It is said that good architecture is about knowing the right questions to ask rather than knowing all the answers in advance," he said.

"Like many projects the Eagles' Eyrie offered a myriad of difficult questions. For example how do you build on a mountain ridge without ruining the very qualities of the place you came to observe? Do you minimise its footprint or should the structure anchor itself soundly to the land with a low profile shell that is resistant to the high winds, the snow and rain?

"Forestry Tasmania asked that we present visitors with a rooftop view of Tasmania and the real question was how to orchestrate a view like that, how to best present the sweeping vistas of what is a truly unique landscape."

Mr Ward said because of the Forestry Tasmania connection the building was a celebration of timber in its construction and demonstrated the potential of sustainably sourced local species.

He also said the beautiful lichen covered rock forms at the Abbotts Lookout were a key point of reference for the design.

"The building is in the saddle so it does not interfere with the mountain's profile," Mr Ward said.

"It will be a hub for visitor movement around the summit, ultimately enabling boardwalk access to the highest points, other walking tracks and viewing structures to be developed in the future.

"The ability to appreciate local flora and wildlife, the mountain air, the weather, local culture and heritage and the surrounding working forests was also a significant part of the design."

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