Oribin Studio, historic site in Queensland, Australia
The Oribin Studio is a small building in Cairns, Queensland, designed in 1960 by architect Edwin Oribin as his personal working space. The studio features a diamond-shaped footprint with timber and concrete walls, large angled glass windows supported by round metal posts, and a sloped corrugated metal roof with deep overhangs for sun protection.
The studio was built in 1960 by Edwin Oribin, who grew up in Cairns and studied architecture after World War II. Oribin created the building as his personal working space and used it for 13 years before closing his architectural practice in 1973 and moving to a new home he designed in Edge Hill.
The name Oribin comes from Edwin Oribin, the architect who designed the building for himself. The studio displays a strong visual presence through its diamond-shaped structure and angled glass walls that immediately catch the eye and reflect the artistic spirit of its creator.
The studio sits on a raised stone and concrete foundation to protect it from flooding that occurs in the region. The angled glass windows and deep roof overhangs are designed to block intense tropical sun while still allowing natural light inside, keeping the interior cool and comfortable.
The studio was influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright's organic architecture, particularly the Unitarian Meeting House with its prayer-hands-like form. Oribin adapted these international ideas to Cairns' tropical setting, creating an early example of how local architects in Queensland experimented with new forms using climate-appropriate materials.
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