World Architecture Festival founder and director, Paul Finch has praised the work of Australian architects in a visit to Perth, calling a few of their recent projects a “step in the right direction” for crafting the city’s own architectural identity.

Speaking at a Perth conference on Thursday 25 February for the launch of the 2016 WAF, Finch explained that Australia’s key cities should take inspiration from their own history and character when they’re redeveloping, rather than trying to be like somewhere else.

“There is a tendency for cities to try to adopt the characteristics of other cities they admire, but this only results in cities starting to look the same, with the same skylines and the same shopping streets,” he suggests.

“But it is far better for cities to examine their own history, their climate and their geography, and to develop or redevelop in a way which makes the city more like itself, not more like some other place which it never quite become.”

Finch singled out Perth Stadium by Cox Architecture, Hassell, HKS and Arup as a step in the right direction that could become “symbolic of the city”.

“The Perth Stadium design is specific to its area,” he says.

“It’s not just a stadium you could pick up from somewhere else in the world and drop in Perth.”

On the theme of idiosyncratic architecture Finch also pointed to ARM Architecture’s designs for Elizabeth Quay.

“When Perth decided to develop Elizabeth Quay, it decided not to try to make it like Circular quay in Sydney, and this was surely a smart move,” he explains.

“What is emerging on the Perth Waterside is a very stimulating contribution to the life of the city as a whole, where the CBD now extends down to the water, with a wonderful public space as its conclusion”

For Finch, the challenge for architects is to think about what makes a city special, and how that can be enhanced and extended when new development comes along.

“It takes political commitment, but also an understanding on the part of developers, architects and planners that all significant buildings play a part in the life of the city as a whole, not just within the red line of their site boundary. You have to zoom out to see the big city picture before you zoom back in again and start work on your site,” he says.

“This is what architects ARM have done in relation to Elizabeth Quay, and it already seems to be attracting large numbers of locals and visitors.”

ABOUT PERTH STADIUM

Cox Architects, Hassell, HKS and Arup have unveiled their design for a new bronze-façaded $902 million sports stadium for Perth.

Due to be open in time for the start of the 2018 AFL season, the five tiered stadium is planned to hold up to 60,000 people—85 per cent of which will be seated under its halo like roof—and will be the major part of the biggest sports stadium project in Australia.

The project will be developed by Westadium, a consortium led by Brookfield Financial and John Laing. Their spokesperson John Flecker emphasised the design’s seating bowl, lightweight fabric roof and tech-heavy facilities as key features.

“The new Perth Stadium seating bowl will deliver unrivalled sightlines and a distinctive architectural language in the form of its lightweight fabric roof that gives the impression of hovering over the ground,” said Flecker.

“Within the building, concourses will be generously provided with an array of food and beverage concession points, superb restaurants and bars offering stunning city views across the river and into the bowl.”

“The extensive incorporation of state of the art IT, LED displays, lighting and signage will facilitate home team colours to the advantage of both players and fans.”

WA Premier Colin Barnett unveiled the stadium design with Westadium representatives on 17 July and declared that it will be “without doubt the best sporting stadium in Australia.”

Barnett also declared the designs seating bowl as a key feature and said its form will be pivotal in creating a stadium that is uniquely Western Australian focussed.

“The seating bowl maximises stadium atmosphere, gives fans exceptional views and brings them close to the action, providing a special home ground advantage for our teams,” said Barnett.

“Seat sizes are generous and each one will have a cup holder; fans will enjoy access to more than 70 food and beverage outlets; and those requiring higher levels of access - such as people in wheelchairs - will be able to use designated seating platforms across all seating tiers.”

4G Wi-Fi coverage is a technology provision of the design, as is the two 240sqm video screens and a further 1,000 screens that will be feature throughout the stadium.

The stadium will be housed in a bronze coloured façade and will be covered in an exterior architectural lighting system, which will utilise LED lights to show the home team colours by night.

Physical pre-construction site works have already been completed ahead of schedule, and the former industrial waste dump site is now left to settle under 740,000 tonnes of sand surcharge to ensure it is fully prepared for construction to begin at the end of this year.

All Images: Perth Stadium

ABOUT ELIZABETH QUAY

p>Design guidelines have been released and work is underway on the $2.6 billion plans pegged to revitalise central Perth, Elizabeth Quay.

Elizabeth Quay (formerly Perth Waterfront) is a $2.6billion project that will return the city's focus to the iconic Swan River and enhance Perth’s reputation as one of the most liveable cities in the world.

Delivered by the State Government and supported by the City of Perth, Elizabeth Quay will cover nearly 10 hectares of prime riverfront land between Barrack and William streets in the heart of the city.

The MRA (Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority) website says the project will create a magnificent precinct featuring a 2.7 hectare inlet surrounded by a split level promenade, shops, cafes, restaurants and other exciting entertainment venues.

It continues: “The project will provide new inner-city residential options as well as much-needed hotel and short-stay accommodation, and significant additional commercial space. It is one of several major urban developments being undertaken that will help to further position Perth as contemporary, international city.”

"The indicative site plans are intended to demonstrate the possible layout of built form and how it might integrate with the surrounding public spaces. All plans, images and diagrams are indicative only and are not intended to represent actual building designs. The ultimate configuration and scale of buildings, including height, massing, site coverage and use mix, will be determined at a later date."

The detailed design of buildings will be undertaken by private developers in response to the built form guidelines (PDF) .

Elizabeth Quay has moved into delivery phase - funding has been committed, works have commenced on site and the procurement of works and supply contracts is underway. The public realm around the waterfront inlet will be available for public use in mid-2015, in advance of the completion of private sector developments. Whether you're a local or a tourist visiting for work, rest or recreation, Elizabeth Quay will be a destination for everyone.

Thje masterplan by ARM Architecture. Click for more detail.

Images courtesy MRA

Western Australia’s State government recently closed tenders for the first development release at Elizabeth Quay, the key objective of delivering a new premium hotel in the project area.

Two land lots adjacent to Barrack Square, totalling 6 800sqm. The land is planned to include a mix of retail, residential and short stay accommodation, with the hope that a new premium hotel will underpin the development.

Planning Minister John Day said when complete, Elizabeth Quay will deliver 800 residential dwellings, 200,000sqm of commercial space and 25,000sqm of retail space enclosing a stunning 2.7ha inlet.”

“Elizabeth Quay is one of a number of major projects being undertaken by the State Government which are transforming our city and creating a network of exciting new destinations to attract people of all ages, at all times of the year,” he said.

“Together with the Perth City Link, Perth Cultural Centre and Riverside developments, these projects will change the face of Perth and ensure we can adequately accommodate for our growing population.”

Architecture & Design Team

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