This public amenities upgrade project evokes a wonderful sense of surprise & delight, adding a vibrant unexpected layer to the Perth Cultural Centre Precinct. We saw a greater design opportunity than the initial upgrade brief suggested & have facilitated a sense of connection with the Cultural precinct beyond by careful sculpting of the views of the surrounding site & funnelling of natural light into the spaces. Public amenities are often overlooked as being simply utilitarian facilities & this project challenges these perceptions & demonstrates that such amenities can be attractive, unique spaces that warrant the same level of design rigour given to larger scale projects. 

Views of the surrounding Cultural Centre are captured within to provide a sense of connection with the precinct beyond & to maximise passive surveillance & security. The seamless wall, ceiling, bench & skylight surfaces inhabit existing spaces creating a dynamic spatial arrangement that then pierces the exterior through skylights & 3 windows.

Materials are vandal resilient, easy to clean & maintain which is critical as the facility is unmanned. Corian® cladding creates a seamless sculpted transition between walls, ceilings, skylights & benches. The faceted geometry of this UV stable surface enhances the play of natural & artificial lighting. Laminex Customart toilet cubicles incorporate artworks & custom designed LED up-lighting. Lights, speakers & grilles are concealed in the skylights to unclutter ceilings & reduce vandalism.

9 artworks integrated into the design reference the adjacent Art gallery & were selected from the WA State Art & City of Perth art collections. By injecting a unique spatial event this project enables the revitalised facility to play a more significant part of the experience of the Perth Cultural Centre. Nicknamed the “Loouvre” the project represents an excellent collaboration between the City of Perth, the Art Gallery of Western Australia & Coniglio Ainsworth Architects.

Photographer: Trasko Photographics & Robert Johnson Photography