Last year the Royal Australian Institute of Architects awarded visionary, Gabriel Poole, the Gold Medal for his lifetime contribution to Australian Architecture. In the early 1980s however, Poole had the community in Noosa divided over one of his innovative designs.
Back then, Noosa was unadulterated but its tourist potential was being realised and accommodation was needed.
There was also a recession on. It fell to Gabriel Poole, at the request of local real estate agents, to develop designs that were budget conscious for a prime site on Hastings Street. The result was The Hastings, a cluster of resort style three storey huts.
For speed and economy Poole developed a prefabrication system, where all walls were factory made complete with windows and external sheeting of Shadowclad by Carter Holt Harvey .
Floors were built on-site using timber joists and plywood flooring. The distinctively curved roofs were also prefabricated on-site.
“We got to a point where we were erecting the shell of a building in one day,” Poole says. Based on initial prototypes the entire complex was costed within budget, and built.
“The project really polarised the community,” Poole recalls. Even his initial drawings for The Hastings had the town in an uproar. People tended to love or hate them. Estate Agents did not view them as upmarket enough.
In the sixteen years that have passed The Hastings has more than stood the test of time. The huts sold well and owners rarely wanted to give them up. The locals too have turned and when The Sheraton was built next door in 1989 many locals complained, wanting more buildings like Gabriels. The Hastings, with its tropical flora setting and its informal timber style has now become a familiar landmark for tourists.
Shadowclad played an important part in this chapter of Noosa’s architectural history. Poole explains that, “Shadowclad was a brand new product. I think The Hastings was one of the first projects in Australia to use it. It gave me the rustic seaside appearance I was looking for. It was economic and has proven durable. There was no similar product on the market”.
The Hastings certainly has stood the test of time structurally too. Despite the exposed site, open to sea spray, sun and wind the huts have remained in A-1 condition. The Shadowclad has only required repainting once in about sixteen years. Unfortunately Poole claims a developer has an eye on the complex and will no doubt replace the unique huts with units catering to the glitz of Noosa today.
Time has also proven that Gabriel Poole is made of the right stuff. Now with over 32 years in his own practice, Poole still believes in innovation and in finding better building systems. He is currently using Shadowclad extensively in his architectural projects. Affordability and a high standard of design are a part of this award winning architect’s vision for the future.
“I firmly believe that, ‘If we house people better we will grow better people”, says Gabriel Poole.