1+2 Architecture acknowledges the Palawa people as the traditional custodians of lutruwita, the lands on which our company is located and where we conduct our business. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present. We are committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.
Gibson's Mill Apartments
LOCATION + TRADITIONAL COUNTRY
The Palawa, Salamanca, Tasmania
CLIENT
Not applicable
STATUS
Built (2011)
AWARDS
Not applicable
media
Not applicable
PHOTOGRAPHY
c/o Gibson’s City Flour Mills
Gibson's Mill Apartments brings new life to one of Hobart's significant waterfront heritage buildings, transforming a former flour mill into 12 contemporary residences.
The adaptive reuse project required a careful balance between preserving the building's industrial character and meeting the demands of modern residential living. Through a considered architectural and engineering response, 1+2 has created a new purpose for the historic structure, ensuring its continued use into the future.
KEY COLLABORATORS
+ Builder:
+ Building Surveyor:
+ Structural + Hydraulic Engineering:
+ Mech, Elec, Comms + Fire Services Engineering:
TBS Engineering Consultants
+ Fire Engineering:
+ Acoustic Engineering:
Place
Situated on Hobart's waterfront since the mid-19th century, Gibson's Mill is an important reminder of the city's industrial origins and its relationship with the working harbour.
The building operated as a flour mill until the 1970s, before being converted into offices and car parking. These successive uses had introduced alterations to the original structure, creating both challenges and opportunities for its latest transformation.
Its distinctive cast iron, timber and brick construction provided a rich architectural foundation for the project, with the conservation of these elements central to the design approach.
Process
The conversion required new residential spaces to be carefully integrated within the building's complex structural framework.
An internal light well was introduced to bring natural light and ventilation into the apartments, while the planning worked with the existing structure rather than concealing it.
Earlier alterations that detracted from the original building were removed, revealing more of its industrial fabric. New architectural elements were designed with restraint, allowing the character and craftsmanship of the existing structure to remain prominent.
The technical demands of the conversion were considerable. Advanced virtual modelling was used to assess structural systems, fire scenarios and acoustic performance, ensuring the building could meet contemporary standards while satisfying heritage conservation requirements.
Close collaboration between the owners, consultants, heritage authorities and contractors was essential to resolving these challenges within a demanding commercial context.
Impact
The transformation of Gibson's Mill has secured a new residential purpose for a significant part of Hobart's built heritage.
Original materials and structural elements now form part of the apartments' interiors, offering a distinctive living environment shaped by the building's history.
Awards + Jury Citation
