Competition launches for design of civic precinct in Perth

The City of Subiaco in Perth is inviting expressions of interest from multidisciplinary design teams for the creation of a new building and improved public space in its civic precinct, following the launch of a two-stage procurement process.

Expressions of interest are now open to architecture firms across Australia. Three teams will be shortlisted from the pool of candidates that expressed their interest in the project. Those three teams will then be required to produce concept designs demonstrating their understanding of the project scope, building location and heritage of the civic precinct.

The competition brief involves designing a new council chambers and administration building at 241 Rokeby Road to replace the existing 50-year-old building. The new facility will feature about 150 workplaces, a public lobby that allows for exhibition space, public toilets and a community hub with workshop rooms. Additionally, the landscape design aspect of the brief aims to enhance approximately 13,000 square metres of public space within the precinct, including Rankin Gardens.

Multidisciplinary teams should include both an architect and landscape architect. To qualify, teams must include a lead architect who is a practising architect, architectural company or architectural partnership within Australia, that is eligible to register as an architect in Western Australia, in accordance with the Architects Act 2004 (WA).

A jury of design experts has been selected to assess entries alongside the City of Subiaco council. This jury comprises government architect for Western Australia, Emma Williamson; Emeritus Professor of Architecture, University of Western Australia, Geoffrey London; Professor of Architecture (Urbanism) at RMIT University, Mark Jacques, and director of Shelley Penn Architect, Shelley Penn.

The registration portal is now open and will close on 14 November 2024. Proposals for stage one must be submitted by 21 November. The shortlist for stage one will be revealed on 27 January 2025, while the competition winner will be announced in mid-2025.