Plans for East Coast underwater restaurant reach major milestone
Plans for an underwater restaurant and weather room on Tasmania’s East Coast – by the globally acclaimed architects behind MONA - have reached a major milestone.
Tasmania
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PLANS for an underwater restaurant and weather room on Tasmania’s East Coast – by the globally acclaimed architects behind MONA - are expected to be submitted for planning approval in March.
Although the finer details are still under wraps, design firm Fender Katsalidis, wants to transform the old Gunns wood chip loader and wharf at Triabunna.
Fender Katsalidis director James Pearce said the design team was looking to provide ”experiences above, on and under the water; utilising the unique qualities and location of the site”.
“A number of options are being considered at this early concept phase of the project,” Mr Pearce said.
“Environmental innovation meets progressive design and engineering prowess here.
“Our design proposal seeks to bring awareness to the site’s heritage, inspiring locals and tourists to engage with the site through a progressive vision of the site’s potential and its social and environmental benefits.
“The experiences will revolve around rejuvenating and restoring the body and mind including accommodation, food, play and spa treatments.
“Incorporating the opportunities of the existing wharf and its structures and integrating new infrastructure designed to the highest levels of sustainability; these activities can take place, on the water, high above or submerged under; providing out-of-the-ordinary environments that subversively inform and enlighten.”
Fender Katsalidis is working with local firm Room 11 and consultancy groups Good Compass and SeaO2, and say the development will focus on “environmentally conscious tourism”.
Mr Pearce said it was hoped it would increase visitation to Tasmania and the East Coast, and also “contribute to a renewed sense of local optimism post-pandemic”.
Spring Bay Wharf and Marina project director Annie Beaulieu said the team had been engaging actively with many stakeholders since May.
“We have just started to organise an event for old Gunn employees,” Ms Beaulieu said.
“We have heard some great stories about people working at the mills and the wharf, so we thought we should organise an event for old employees to reconnect with one another and to share some of their stories/photos, etc with us.
“The weather room is going to be our signature experience and it will be epic! We can’t share more details about that at this stage.”
Ms Beaulieu would not disclose the budget for the project and said it depended on planning approvals.
Fender Katsalidis principal Rosie Morley said the project would educate people about the site and its ecology.
“Physically, the design allows people to ‘float’ in a pure state of being in which they are one with their surrounds,” Ms Morley said.
“They are also figuratively immersed in the sights, sounds and sensations of the moment, conscious of their presence as a living entity existing within the larger marine ecosystem.
“Education and inspiration go hand in hand.”
The project team will also consult local First Nations communities on the design.
susan.bailey@news.com.au
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