Hydrowood Tasmanian Myrtle Chosen for Mona's Phrontisterion Library
The materials specified for a project like Mona's new Phrontisterion library are never chosen lightly. Every finish contributes to the architecture, the experience of the space and how the building will be remembered for decades to come.
Among them is Hydrowood Tasmanian Myrtle, selected for the library's extensive shelving and now forming one of the defining interior elements of one of Australia's most significant new cultural buildings.
For Hydrowood, it's a proud milestone and a meaningful endorsement of Tasmanian Myrtle as one of Australia's most respected architectural timbers.
Hydrowood Myrtle timber bookshelves in Mona’s new ‘dream library’, Phrontisterion.
Shelving as architecture
Comprising 287 custom bookcases, the shelving is one of the largest and most significant pieces of joinery within Phrontisterion.
Its scale and permanence ensure it becomes far more than functional storage. It establishes rhythm throughout the interior and gives the library much of its material identity.
Throughout the library, Tasmanian Myrtle brings richness, depth and the unmistakable qualities of real timber to an interior designed to be explored and revisited for generations.
Of all the projects Hydrowood has supplied, Processing and Projects Manager Dr Nathan Kotlarewski says Phrontisterion is his favourite.
“It’s really cool to see this beautiful featured Myrtle going into quite an extraordinary and beautiful application to house thousands of books,” he said.
“It’s an exciting one that we’re really proud of.”
A specification that speaks for itself
Architectural projects of this calibre are shaped by thousands of decisions, and material selection is among the most important.
Every specification reflects careful consideration of performance, craftsmanship, longevity and the experience a material will create over time.
The decision to use Tasmanian Myrtle throughout Phrontisterion reinforces what architects, designers and joiners have appreciated for decades. It is a timber that combines refined appearance with excellent workability, making it equally suited to finely crafted joinery and ambitious architectural interiors.
Rather than following design trends, Tasmanian Myrtle has earned a reputation through consistent performance and enduring appeal.
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Built with exceptional craftsmanship
The scale of the joinery delivered by Halton Joinery is extraordinary.
Alongside the 287 bespoke bookcases, the team completed wall linings throughout the library, the map room, David Walsh's study, lounge spaces and connecting corridors.
More than 33,000 brass shelf sleeves and 7,000 brass shelf pins were individually cleaned before installation. More than 25 truckloads of joinery were delivered to site before an installation that spanned six months.
Projects completed to this standard rely on exceptional craftsmanship at every stage, from design and manufacturing through to installation.
Tasmanian Myrtle has long been valued by skilled makers for the way it machines, finishes and performs, making it a natural choice for projects where quality is evident in every detail.
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More than another project
More than another addition to Hydrowood's portfolio, Phrontisterion demonstrates the confidence that architects, designers and craftspeople continue to place in Tasmanian Myrtle when creating spaces intended to endure.
Landmark projects help shape the future of material specification. They become reference points for designers seeking proven materials capable of delivering both exceptional craftsmanship and lasting visual appeal.
The inclusion of Tasmanian Myrtle throughout Phrontisterion reinforces its place among Australia's finest interior timbers and provides another compelling example of what is possible when outstanding design is matched with outstanding materials.
Looking beyond Phrontisterion
While Phrontisterion is a remarkable project, its significance extends beyond the walls of the library.
Every architectural specification contributes to the reputation of a material. Each project demonstrates where it belongs, how it performs and the confidence designers place in it.
Hydrowood is proud that Tasmanian Myrtle has become part of one of Australia's most significant new cultural buildings.
It's a reminder that exceptional architecture is created through thoughtful material choices, and that Tasmanian Myrtle continues to earn its place in projects designed to be admired for generations.