Institute of Marine & Antarctic Studies
The program is a contemporary mix of research, education, science art and culture. The building is vessel for the boldness and importance of the education and research it houses, the wide range of investigation it facilitates – so integral to Hobart, and so critical to the wider world.
The IMAS project offers an Architecture that positions Tasmania as a state of change, creativity and innovation – expressly manifesting these values within the built fabric of the city, in order to both strengthen and make vivid this commitment.
Jury Comment
This is a strong, vigorous architectural statement both in its dominant scale and character. The bulk relates to the size of contemporary cruise ships, but while their presence is temporal, the IMAS will always overshadow Battery Point. At close range the buildings do offer a welcome shelter and amenity and ground level, and a higher engagement with the waterfront. There is a clarity to the presentation which both explains the structure and forms, but also indicates some unresolved detailed planning.
