DKO Architecture’s Dominic Gaetani’s personal link to project
More than 10 years after he left Tasmania to pursue his dream of shaping Melbourne’s skyline, this architect has been engaged to reimagine a historic building that he has a personal link to.
Launceston
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An up-and-coming architect who left Tasmania for Melbourne to pursue his dream of shaping that city’s skyline has revealed the $50m redevelopment of Launceston’s old TasTAFE building, which he has designed, is especially to close to home.
Dominic Gaetani, who grew up in Trevallyn before moving to Victoria’s capital in circa 2010, upon receiving his degrees from the University of Tasmania, is the lead architect on Red Panda Property Group’s proposed reUNION Precinct (formerly reUNION District).
According to the proponent, Northern Midlands Councillor Andrew McCullagh, the Wellington St building, which would retain its facade, would feature restaurants, cafes, a brewery, distillery, 14 apartments and a “world-class” 5-star hotel, while also retaining and transforming the existing courtyard.
DKO Architecture’s Mr Gaetani told the Mercury the vacant building is laden with meaning and memories for him.
“My mum Mary worked there for most of her career (teaching business). After school I would play in the central courtyard,” he said.
“We were back there for Mona Foma. Walking through the room mum worked in was quite special.
“It’s significant and rewarding going back to where you were born and where your parents live.”
Mr Gaetani said he made the difficult decision to move to the big smoke because he wanted to “work on, larger, city-shaping projects that at the time in Tasmania was not really happening”.
“I’ve always had a fascination with the urban environment, which is the complete opposite to my background, growing up on traditional one-acre block at the interface of Cataract Gorge.
“When I lived in Launceston, even Hobart, there wasn’t a huge of amount of high-density living, there wasn’t an acceptance. When I grew up, there was one significant apartment building in Launceston.
“I don’t even think there was Saturday shopping in Launceston, everywhere shut up shop pretty early. It felt quite strange, the city would basically close down.”
However, were he to graduate in 2023, he said he may not have been forced to choose between career and home.
“It’s almost the opposite now with the number of projects,” Mr Gaetani said.
“There’s starting to be some really good quality medium to high-density apartment building in Hobart. It’s interesting that it’s a lot of social and affordable housing but they’re such considered architectural propositions. They’re done really well.
“The most obvious (boost to Tasmania’s architectural reputation) is Mona. That has definitely driven the architectural, city-shaping proposition. It’s pushed Tasmania a considerable length.”
While Mr Gaetani has set down roots and is unlikely to call Tasmania home again in the foreseeable future, the island state is of increasing interest to his firm, with DKO exploring opening a local office.
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