News
Cheminees Philippe heats up Pump House Point
Originally constructed as part of the Hydro Electric scheme, the facility on Lake St Clair in the Tasmanian Central Highlands was built to pump water from Lake St Clair to the adjacent St Clair Lagoon to feed the Tarraleah Power Station. However this use was never realised and after half a century the pump house was decommissioned and subsequently remained unoccupied for twenty further years.
It wasn’t until 100 years after the establishment of the Hydro Electric Commission that the now heritage-listed art deco buildings of the industrial facility finally whirred to life, not as a pump house but as a unique accommodation experience suspended over the pristine lake.
From inception the Architectural firm Cumulus Studios envisaged that the Pumphouse redevelopment should encapsulate rugged simplicity and unrefined comfort. In keeping with best heritage practice and the values of the World Heritage Site in which it is located, the design is focused on environmental stewardship, sustainability and minimal site impact. To achieve this objective, new guest suites have been constructed within the existing building envelopes.
The commercial adaption of the building in line with best heritage practice and the values of the World Heritage Area in which it is located, has protected and enhanced the iconic property for the appreciation of generations to come.
Glasgow Engineering were approached to supply the wood heating for the Pump House Point project. The Cheminees Philippe Radiante 800 heaters were chosen for their rugged industrial look that was in keeping with the building and its original use. These cast iron heaters can also heat up to 260 sq m. they really are the heart of the building running almost all year round.
The project won the 2015 Tasmanian Architecture Awards: Award for Commercial Architecture, Gourmet TravellerRegional Hotel of the Year, and the Property Development Award (Tasmania) and Heritage Property Award (Tasmania) at the 2015 API Excellence in Property Awards.
