Warmth, Function, and Precision: Glazing Solutions for Heritage-Inspired Design

VOS Constructions & Joinery delivered precision bespoke glazing, combining technical expertise with architectural excellence.

VOS Constructions & Joinery

While VOS Constructions & Joinery is widely recognised as one of Tasmania’s largest and most established builders, VOS’ specialist Glass and Joinery division integrated complex glazing systems with extensive custom joinery throughout the learning and collaboration spaces.

The glazing scope integrated with timber interior finishes and included the supply and installation of 13.52mm Evantage clear heat-strengthened custom laminated glass to internal timber windows, along with Capral aluminium sliding windows, hinged doors and automatic sliding doors.

“We worked closely with the joinery teams from the beginning of the project to ensure the timber rebates and beads were produced accurately for the glass installation,” Glazing Manager Mitchell Free explains. “That early co-ordination meant the glazing integrated seamlessly with the timber architecture.”

The breadth of the package required careful sequencing and detailed co-ordination with the larger construction programme. “The volume of product required across the site was substantial, and ensuring everything arrived on time, was fabricated precisely, and integrated seamlessly was a major focus for our team,” said Glazing Manager Mitchell Free. “The internal glazing package demanded absolute precision. We worked closely with suppliers to meet the exacting requirements, and our installation teams delivered finishes that complement the mass-timber architecture beautifully.”

Across the Learning Landscapes, open collaboration areas, stair cores, and teaching spaces, VOS’ joinery and glazing elements elevate the warmth and sophistication of the timber-led design. Including circular modular work booths, curved banquette seating, terraced learning landscapes, timber wall linings, and acoustic panelling, many of the joinery elements featured curved or complex geometries, requiring detailed 3D modelling and modular fabrication to ensure accurate installation on site.

“The way the custom laminated glass complements the timber features and internal garden is inspiring,” Mitchell explained. “When you walk through the curved pod meeting rooms and look out across the timber stairs toward the garden, the finish really stands out.”

For more information contact VOS Constructions & Joinery, 70 Browns Road, Kingston TAS 7050, phone 03 6229 0300, email reception@vosgroup.com, website www.vosconstruction.com.au

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Translating Architectural Ambition into Structural Reality

Danmor Engineering delivered precision steel fabrication, protective coatings, and innovative structural solutions for The Forest.

Danmor Engineering

Precision, reliability, and innovation in structural steel are increasingly critical as architectural ambition and complex geometries push Tasmania’s commercial and infrastructure projects to new heights. Danmor Engineering Pty Ltd leverages more than four decades of expertise in steel fabrication, industrial painting, and protective coatings to deliver technically demanding projects with enduring quality.

On the University of Tasmania’s The Forest redevelopment, Danmor was entrusted with the main structural steel package, translating complex design intent into precise, build-able solutions that balance aesthetic excellence with structural integrity.

“The scale and delivery schedule for this project demanded careful co-ordination,” explains General Manager Danny Morris. “We had multiple detailers working simultaneously to ensure every area and contractor was aligned, especially given the complex geometry and integration of existing structures.”

Among the project’s standout engineering achievements was the curved dome truss, meticulously designed to support the glazed central atrium, a signature architectural feature of The Forest. “That dome truss was a real challenge,” Danny said. “It required precision fabrication and installation to achieve both the aesthetic and structural integrity the architects envisioned.”

At the height of construction, 14 of Danmor’s skilled team members were onsite, supported by the company’s advanced in-house fabrication capabilities, including a CNC fibre laser (processing up to 40mm plate) and a beamline system (max profile 1100 x 460mm).

As a Dulux Certified Coating Specialist, Danmor also ensured the steel components were treated to the highest protection standards.

With more than four decades of experience, Danmor Engineering Pty Ltd continues to set the standard in structural steel fabrication and installation, industrial painting, and protective coatings across Tasmania’s commercial, infrastructure, and private development sectors. Current projects include the refurbishment of Elizabeth Street Pier, the Royal Hobart Showground Development, and the Selfs Point Sewage Treatment Plant.

For more information contact Danmor Engineering Pty Ltd, phone 03 6445 1350, email danmor@danmor.com.au, website www.danmor.com.au


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Hempcrete in Action: Delivering Sustainable, High-Performance Interiors

X-Hemp, Hannan Build and Australian Hemp Masonry Company delivered Australia’s largest hempcrete installations at UTAS The Forest project.

X-Hemp, Hannan Build and the Australian Hemp Masonry Company

The University of Tasmania’s The Forest building is a bold testament to the potential of bio-based construction — and at its heart lies a remarkable collaboration between X-Hemp, Hannan Build, and the Australian Hemp Masonry Company. Together, these innovators brought the hempcrete vision to life across 28 teaching and learning spaces and a liftwell, marking one of Australia’s largest and most complex hempcrete installations to date.

“There was continuous communication between the three companies from the outset through to completion,” said Klara Marosszeky, Managing Director of Australian Hemp Masonry Company. “We were all committed to ensuring it was a positive experience and outcome for UTAS, Woods Bagot, and Hansen Yuncken. The project is a great opportunity to showcase the possibilities of hempcrete construction.”

Australian Hemp Masonry Company developed the hempcrete product, supplying a proprietary lime binder manufactured in Sydney and consulting on every phase of the project. They also worked closely with architects Woods Bagot from the early design stages, delivering educational sessions for their team.

Their Tasmanian partner, Andi Lucas and X-Hemp, provided the locally processed hemp hurd, ensuring the build met the university’s sustainability goals — including low embodied energy, carbon storage, and superior thermal, acoustic, and air quality performance.

Hannan Build – Shane Hannan and Tully Dunn, brought over a decade of installation expertise to the table. “This project is all about feature walls,” Klara explained. “While hempcrete is traditionally rendered, the off-form walls allowed Shane and his team to play with colour and tone — each batch of hemp bringing natural variation that’s beautifully showcased in the finished design.”

Despite the challenges of working on a multi-storey adaptive reuse site alongside hundreds of trades, the team’s collaboration and commitment ensured seamless delivery. “It’s a beautifully executed showcase project,” Klara says. “Together, we’ve demonstrated that sustainable, bio-based construction can be both beautiful and viable — and that it’s the future of Australian building.”


X-Hemp

0413 388 470
www.xhemp.au

Hannan Build

0429 658 886

Australian Hemp Masonry Company


0422 750 612
www.hempmasonry.com.au

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Function and Form: Custom Lift Solutions for High-Performance Buildings

Access Solutions delivered bespoke, timber-finished lifts at the University of Tasmania – The Forest, combining technical precision with design integration.

Access Solutions

As buildings increasingly prioritise bespoke design and integrated architectural expression, vertical transport is no longer just functional. Access Solutions provided bespoke vertical transport solutions that aligned seamlessly with The Forest’s architectural and thematic vision.

“We installed six lifts into the University of Tasmania – The Forest project ranging from 400kg, 1150kg to 2500kg capacity,” says Sean Sutton, General Manager at Access Solutions. The scope included one heavy-duty cargo lift, which was prioritised early in the programme to support site logistics, followed by five custom passenger lifts.

The project demanded seamless scheduling and flexible delivery, with several lift installations occurring over the holiday period when labour resources were limited. Despite these seasonal constraints, Access Solutions maintained momentum across a nine-month installation period, with two to three teams on-site at any given time.

A defining feature of this project was the highly customised interiors that reflected The Forest’s timber-rich aesthetic. “Five of the lifts are custom made with a special interior fitout in keeping with the Forestry themes—timber wall linings, Tas oak handrails, indirect lighting and custom laid floor tiling,” Sean explained. The company collaborated with its sister business, Access Property, to deliver the bespoke lift car finishes.

“The interior design process was comprehensive,” said Sean. “We trialled over five lighting systems before we were satisfied with the indirect lighting, and sourcing the right Tas oak panelling took time.”

System integration also called for rigorous co-ordination. “Lift installation required intensive collaboration with the builder and other trades for shaft preparation and materials handling, all while maintaining a focus on safety.”

Proudly Tasmanian-owned and backed by 30 years of lift industry experience, Access Solutions views this project as a standout achievement. “Our teams can be proud of their work, and we’re proud to be part of this exciting project,” Sutton concludes.

For more information contact Access Solutions, 223 Harrington Street, Hobart TAS 7000, phone 03 6229 2476, email info@access-solutions.com.au, website www.access-solutions.com.au

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Complex Geometries, Flawless Execution: Tiling with High-Performance Materials

Tas Tiling Contractors delivered precision tiling solutions supporting architectural intent, durability, and performance at UTAS The Forest.

Tas Tiling Contractors

Tas Tiling Contractors completed a highly detailed tiling package that reflects the newly redeveloped University of Tasmania -The Forest project’s natural aesthetic and refined architectural vision.

The company was engaged to carry out tiling works across Level 2, including floors and walls of the Bridge area, along with approximately 300m² of flooring and 300m² of paving in the Level 1 car park. Works commenced in June 2024 and were completed in October 2025.

“The project involved working with detailed architectural layouts and various surface transitions, particularly around the Bridge and curved wall areas,” said Jiho Choi, Director, Tas Tiling Contractors. “Maintaining consistency in grout lines and tile alignment across complex geometries required close co-ordination with other trades and careful planning.”

One of the most technically demanding challenges was the installation of the thin brick tiles, which were cut down from full Brickworks Daniel Robertson bricks to just 20mm thick.

The project used an equal mix of three colour selections—Cambridge, Black and Buff—across the tiling surfaces. “Working with three different colours and slightly inconsistent brick sizes demanded precision and patience to ensure a uniform and high-quality finish,” Jiho explained.

Substrate preparation, levelling, and the selection of high-performance adhesives and grout systems were essential to achieving durability and performance in high-traffic areas. Tas Tiling Contractors undertook careful inspection and quality checks at each stage to ensure alignment with the design intent and long-term functional needs of the space.

“We’re proud of delivering high-quality finishes that align with the project’s natural aesthetic and architectural intent,” Jiho said. “It was a rewarding experience to contribute to such a significant Tasmanian project that combines design excellence with sustainability.”

“I’d like to thank our team for their hard work and Hansen Yuncken for their support throughout the project. We’re proud of what we achieved together,” said Jiho.

For more information contact Tas Tiling Contractors, U2 14A Main Road, Moonah TAS 7009, phone 0499 996 424, email
choi@tastiling.com

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