Dezeen Magazine

GASP! by Room 11 is a sequence of riverside pavilions and boardwalks

Australian architecture studio Room 11 has created a three-kilometre riverside pathway in Tasmania where brightly coloured boardwalks are punctuated with public pavilions (+ slideshow).

GASP! by Room 11

Named GASP!, an acronym of Glenorchy Art and Sculpture Park, the project was conceived as a community park that combines an arts programme with a play space for young children.

GASP! by Room 11 is a sequence of riverside pavilions and boardwalks

Room 11 was given a stretch of land along the banks of the River Derwent and developed a phased proposal to create the park.

GASP! by Room 11 is a sequence of riverside pavilions and boardwalks

For the first stage the architects established a gently arching walkway made up of three boardwalks, which bridge between headland along the southern edge of the river.

GASP! by Room 11 is a sequence of riverside pavilions and boardwalks

Wooden slats form the surfaces of the walkways, while more timber balustrades have been painted in vivid colours to create striped patterns.

GASP! by Room 11 is a sequence of riverside pavilions and boardwalks

Two timber pavilions are positioned at the start and midpoint of the route, offering sheltered seating areas that can be used for various activities.

Gasp Stage 1 by Room 11 Architects_dezeen_28

The second stage, completed this year, comprises a third pavilion at Wilkinsons Point. Constructed from concrete and red glass, this larger structure forms an end point to the trail and includes public toilets.

GASP! by Room 11 is a sequence of riverside pavilions and boardwalks

The third and final stage will involve construction of a cafe and studio building, but is currently only in the concept stages.

GASP! by Room 11 is a sequence of riverside pavilions and boardwalks

"We moved on from nostalgic visions of place making and embraced interstitial spaces with relish," said architect Thomas Bailey.

GASP! by Room 11 is a sequence of riverside pavilions and boardwalks

GASP! is the first public architecture project completed by Room 11, which has offices in Melbourne and Tasmania.

GASP! by Room 11

It was one of 38 projects awarded at the Australian National Architecture Awards earlier this month, alongside a rusted steel beach kiosk and a tiny home with a sheltered deck.

GASP! by Room 11 is a sequence of riverside pavilions and boardwalks

Photography is by Ben Hosking.

Here's a project description from Room 11:


Room11: GASP!

The Glenorchy Arts and Sculpture Park, GASP!, is Room 11's first foray into public architecture. Along the River Derwent in Glenorchy, Tasmania, Room 11 has built a colourfully calibrated public walkway which deftly links previously marginalised, but surprisingly beautiful sections of foreshore.

GASP! by Room 11 is a sequence of riverside pavilions and boardwalks

Abundant birdlife and the silky surface of the river are able to be closely inspected as one walks the gentle arc which links an existing school, playground, major entrainment centre and rowing club.

GASP! by Room 11 is a sequence of riverside pavilions and boardwalks

Punctuating the arc are two carefully crafted pavilions which offer shelter, seating and a location to pause and consider the water plane and sky.

GASP! by Room 11 is a sequence of riverside pavilions and boardwalks

GASP stage two is the penultimate gesture of the Glenorchy Art and Sculpture Park (GASP!). It is composed of architecture that responds to the scale of the surrounding landform.

GASP! by Room 11 is a sequence of riverside pavilions and boardwalks

Blunt forms frame and command the superlative Tasmanian landscape. Colour and architecture have been used as a vehicle for re-evaluation and re-appreciation of place. The re-forming of the shoreline embraces the expanse of Elwick Bay, the bay becomes integral to the experience, a unity has been created.

GASP! by Room 11 is a sequence of riverside pavilions and boardwalks

GASP! has been conceived as a ribbon along which contemporary art events and installations can occur, the new architecture is an important feature of this.

GASP! by Room 11 is a sequence of riverside pavilions and boardwalks

Turner Prize winning Artist Susan Phillipz was commissioned by GASP!, to undertake the inaugural art project, The Waters Twine an 8 channel sound project embedded into the boardwalk in March 2013. Further events and installations are now underway.

GASP! by Room 11 is a sequence of riverside pavilions and boardwalks

The staged project was the result of a limited design competition in 2010.

GASP! by Room 11 is a sequence of riverside pavilions and boardwalks

Length: 3km
Materials: Timber, stainless steel, concrete, glass & paint
Client: Glenorchy City Council
Funding: Australian Government, Tasmanian State Government, Glenorchy City Council

GASP! by Room 11 is a sequence of riverside pavilions and boardwalks
Site plan - click for larger image