The New Perth Museum: Perth Cultural Centre
Work is under way on the site of the new Perth Museum. Managing contractor multiplex has mobilised on site and preparations have begun. The whole project is budgeted at $428.3 million and includes the new museum, integration and restoration of the existing heritage buildings, a $1.6 million-dollar public art project, installation of museum content and exhibitions and the $17.3 million Harry Butler Research Centre at the museum’s collections and research centre in Welshpool.
The new museum itself will be four times bigger than the older existing complex and house over 7,000 square meters of galleries. It has been designed by architecture firms Hassell (http://www.hassellstudio.com/) and Oma (http://www.oma.org.au/).
Brookfield Multiplex architects Mark Loughnan, from HASSELL and David Gianotten from OMA explain the design inspiration:
“Our vision for the design is to create spaces that promote engagement and collaboration, responding to the needs of the WA Museum and the community.
We want it to be a civic place for everyone; an interesting mix of heritage and contemporary architecture that helps revitalise the Perth Cultural Centre while celebrating the culture of Western Australia on a world stage.
Perth and WA has a dramatic natural landscape, unique history and diverse population. We have tried to capture all these elements and celebrate them within the design concept.
The scale of the natural landscape is reflected in the large public space at the heart of the design; the city’s history is celebrated by the integration of the existing heritage-listed buildings, and its stories which have driven every aspect of the Museum design.
The design is based on the intersection of a horizontal and vertical loop creating large possibilities for curatorial strategies, for both temporary and fixed exhibitions.”
Construction is forecast to be completed in 2019 with the exhibitions installed during the year and doors opening to the public in 2020.
