The Hothouse
The Hothouse was an initiative created to demonstrate the power of creative thinking, to explore and respond to Tasmania’s chronically less than optimal educational outcomes. In collaboration with Dark Mofo, the University of Tasmania, Hobart City Council and News Corp, the three-day event was comprised of brainstorming sessions, public contribution, a forum and sharing of findings and ideas in print and online. The Hothouse became the housing of ideas and of looking to better education outcomes for Tasmania – reflected in the visual identity which doubles as the bamboo cupola of the structure and an all-seeing oculus.
The Hothouse structure was designed and constructed by students of the University of Tasmania’s School of Architecture students in partnership with specialists from Cave Urban. The impressive structure was made entirely from bamboo and featured illuminated Tasmanian cray pots as lighting features. By day, the space was used to facilitate sessions for the Thinkers and pinned written contributions from the public. By night, it was illuminated in Dark Mofo’s iconic red light and enthusiastically used by dining guests of Winterfeast.
Studio ©2016: The20
The Hothouse identity
The Hothouse logo
During the evenings, patrons of Dark Mofo’s Winterfeast 2015 flock to The Hothouse to mingle and feast (Photo: Mercurio Alvarado)
The eastern end of The Hothouse structure as part of Dark Mofo 2015 Winterfeast (Photo: Mercurio Alvarado)
Bamboo ‘Pods’ for Thinkers Groups. At night the pods were used for guests of Dark Mofo Winterfeast. (Photo: Cave Urban)
The Hothouse Thinkers Sessions
The Hothouse Thinkers Groups
Information for the Thinkers Handbook
The public were encouraged to leave their thoughts about Tasmania’s education outcomes (Photo: Cave Urban)
The Hothouse website planning and design
The Hothouse website
Cave Urban and UTAS School of Architecture students commence construction of The Hothouse using lengths of bamboo on Hobart’s Salamanca Lawns
Construction of The Hothouse (Photo: Cave Urban)
Roof structure detail and lighting made from repurposed cray pots
The Findings from the Thinkers Sessions were compiled into a series of 10 posters with illustrations by Jon Kudelka
The Hothouse from Castray Esplanade (Photo: Mercurio Alvarado)
The Hothouse Forum led by DarkLab’s Leigh Carmichael
The Findings from the Thinkers Sessions were compiled into a series of 10 posters with illustrations by Jon Kudelka