The Sorell Council engaged MCA to design, document and manage the reconstruction of the Dunalley Community Hall following the complete destruction of the existing building during the devastating bushfires of 2013. With a sound portfolio of completed community projects, we understand the importance of creating spaces that are inviting and inclusive towards all members of the community.

Dunalley, a small fishing village on the east coast of Tasmania, required the sensitive re-establishment of a place for the local community, particularly the local school, to gather and celebrate. The resulting new building highlights natural materiality which anchors it within its surrounding landscape allowing the architecture to provide a complement to the existing environment. Featuring rammed earth walls, spotted gum timber cladding, polished concrete and recycled timber trusses, we provided a contemporary all-purpose hall with a stage as well as a commercial kitchen, bar, meeting rooms for the local branch of the RSL, and associated amenities.

The Bridgewater Civic Centre development was realised through an end to end, highly collaborative process that began with a number of community-based meetings to establish the brief. Brighton Council engaged MCA to develop the associated master plans which resulted in detailed sketch plans and models for their approval before continuing the documentation. The fully realised centre is now a multipurpose building containing an auditorium, function space, coffee shop, commercial kitchen and associated amenities.

The processes that evolved throughout the experience between MCA and the client achieved an exceptionally high level of understanding that ultimately resulted in an excellent building that the community enjoy using. This facility is an asset to the council and a rare example for other southern councils in Tasmania.

A new project of its type in Tasmania at the time of construction, the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden was an exciting building incorporating an existing developing kitchen garden at Moonah Primary School in Hobart. A 500 m2 garden now incorporates the new building containing a 150 sqm dining room with double glazed doors leading into an adjoining, fully functioning teaching kitchen large enough for a whole class of up to 40 primary school students to cook in concurrently. The building features extensive glazing that frames views of the adjacent gardens promoting the subject taught within.

Today the garden provides a wonderful teaching space with strong horticultural themes and the facility still operates as the Demonstration School for Tasmania.

In 2016 MCA was approached by the property owners of 99 Bathurst Street to assist Sustainable Timber Tasmania with their office relocation to the premises.

A strong client relationship was quickly nurtured with the client team and an opportunity recognised to evolve the preceding workplace environment. Where previously, staff had worked independently, the new workplace achieved flexibility by providing numerous workspaces designed to promote various scenarios necessary within a thriving and productive office environment.

Conversation pods and small break out spaces around the core of the large floor plate now allow staff to work in different areas depending on the task at hand. This flexibility within the use of space to offer private, semi-private, open-plan and hot desk concepts, has greatly increased workplace morale, productivity, and has assisted with the overall transition.

To further align with the client's ethos we ensured that Tasmanian timbers - including White Heart Sassafras, Black Heart Sassafras, Myrtle, Tasmanian Oak, Blackwood and Huon Pine - were highlighted within the interior, some sourced through the Hydrowood scheme, and further complemented by soft furnishings in grey and forest green.

MCA Architects was engaged by Ressen to document the Development Application for a hotel within inner-city Hobart. The proposed hotel, consisting of 205 bedrooms, function space, gym, restaurant and café, required significant heritage input.

Our proposal was sympathetic to the neighbouring heritage building, incorporating local stonework as well as being stepped back from the street frontage to not encroach on the lower building facades opposite. This project presented challenges in relation to heritage and streetscape issues and involved significant consultation with local authorities. As a new building, surrounded by several historically rich buildings, we believe that a clear distinction between the new and the old would allow for the stories created by the existing architecture to be easily legible whilst sensitively knitting new and old.  A satisfactory outcome was achieved for this project with the development being awarded a planning permit.

The client sold the site with the approved Devlopment Application designed by MCA Architects. The hotel is now operating as The Double Tree by Hilton.

Clark Avenue House was the realisation of the design, development and delivery of a family residence situated on the waterfront in Hobart’s Battery Point.

Located within close proximity to the finish line of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, the project began with the demolition of an existing house to support the construction of a new contemporary home. The gently sloping site orienting down to the water’s edge of the Derwent river beautifully supported the 4 bedroom home featuring a large open plan living /dining and kitchen area as well as a home office and extensive wine cellar.

Externally clad in Colorbond steel and feature panels of natural timber, the striking residence sits poetically within its surrounds reflecting the grey/blue accents of the Derwent River which contrasting against the orange tone of the homes rooftop, reminiscent of the Aurora Australis which is often in port close by.

Garden Island House is a 1500 sqm exclusive family retreat on Garden Island.

Situated in the Huon River, 700m off the mainland of Tasmania, the site was sensitive to construction and required a carefully considered understanding of the history and narrative of the land to ensure the realisation of a design anchored to the existing natural surrounds and its ecosystem.

The final design called for the building to be completely off-grid, fully supported by solar power and rain catchment water tanks. Design cues to reflect the site’s context within the architectural and material elements included the use of polished concrete floors, Tasmanian timbers and the harnessing of magnificent views from the northerly aspect into Garden Island Bay. Particular challenges included the transporting of materials by boat to the site.

The building received Greenstar awards from both the MBA and the HIA.

The Springvale Hostel is a collection of three co-ed residential buildings designed to accommodate 35 high school students who reside outside of Hobart but attend school in the city.  The brief was to create private accommodation with supported facilities, similar to a family style residential environment.

Quiet space was incorporated into the design of each the student lounge areas which have been centrally located to take advantage of northerly aspects in each building enhancing the natural solar gain. These areas provide views over the New Town High School oval.

External materials featuring brickwork and Colorbond steel, as well as a lightweight flooring frame enabled us to cantilever the building over the bank to overcome site limitations due to the presence of underground services.

Hobart Medical Centre, centrally located on Bathurst Street, involved the conversion of an existing car park into a large medical centre and pharmacy spanning almost 1000m2.

The fit out consisted of dark floors contrasting with white walls and timber feature battens to create a minimal, clean and contemporary space.

We ensured that all design elements were compatible with emerging trends in wireless technology and communications, and with current and evolving needs. Electronic screens outside each of the consulting rooms introduce usability and technological relevance conducive to the needs of an advanced medical facility today.