CASCADES FEMALE FACTORY MUSEUM
HOBART, TASMANIA

Aileen Sage with Jean Rice Heritage Architect +
Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects
National Competition, Shortlisted
Client: Port Arthur Historic Sites Management Authority

We are interested in tracing and revealing the history of a place through key architectural moves, intertwining the historical and the contemporary.

ATMOSPHERE
Drawing on the existing eerie atmosphere of the site and its surrounding landscape, a long floating pavilion stretches out to trace the original footprint where one of the two cell blocks once stood on Yard 3. Native heath plantings cover the roof whilst scattered light scoops draw in natural light and reflect views of Mount Wellington beyond.

BLOOD + ROCK
A basalt curtain - literally woven from rock - shrouds the building, whilst pigs' blood rendered walls (a traditional local means of producing a light pink render) create an enclosed, isolating and echoing experience in the landscape.

A GROVE OF BIRCHES
The pavilion looks out onto a grove of silver birch trees - drawing on existing plantings on and around the site. Silver birches are often referenced in English and Celtic folksongs in association with death, fairies, or returning from the grave.

A FIELD OF CROCUSES
A field of crocus bulbs fills one side of the walled yard. Twice a year the gravel yard will come alive as a pattern of spring and autumn flowering varieties emerge from below the gravel surface. After the emergence, and spectacular flowering display, the plants will wither and fade, the whole process lasting approximately eight weeks in each season.

We acknowledge the Gadi people on whose country we work and create.

We also acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this Country and their continuing connection to culture, community, land, sea and sky. We pay our respect to Elders and Knowledge Holders past, present and future and express our gratitude for their continued sharing of knowledge and culture.