Three consortia comprising local and international design firms will compete for the design and construction contract for the new $430 million WA Museum, set to be built at the Perth Cultural Centre.
Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said the consortia incorporated design teams responsible for some of the world’s most iconic designs, including museum and cultural projects in Paris, Quebec and London.
One consortium comprises Foster and Partners, working with local architects Hames Sharley and led by John Holland.
Another includes Ateliers Jean Nouvel, working with local firm Cameron Chisholm Nicol and Parry & Rosenthal Architects, and led by a joint venture between Doric and Spanish construction firm Tecnicas Reunidas.
Tecnicas Reunidas was contracted to build the Burrup ammonium nitrate plant for Yara International, for about $US500 million.
It was also part of a joint venture contracted for the $950 million seawater desalination plant near Binningup, north of Bunbury, in 2008.
The third consortium comprises OMA, working with local architects Hassell and Wood & Grieve Engineers, and led by Brookfield Multiplex.
Foster was responsible for the British Museum’s great court, while Ateliers designed the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris.
OMA designed the Musee National Des Beaux Arts in Quebec.
“(The consortia) will now work with the government on their design proposal for the new museum to ensure they meet the state’s requirements,” Mr Day said.
He said the museum had recently established four community panels to provide ongoing input into content and visitor experience for the new museum.
“With the state government engaging in extensive and ongoing consultation with a range of reference groups and key stakeholders, we are confident we can provide the consortia with the best advice to ensure we get the world-class museum all Western Australians deserve,” Mr Day said.
Early works for the project are under way, including conservation works to heritage buildings at the Perth site where the new museum will be located.
Last year, Balcatta-based PS Structures was awarded a $13.5 million contract to upgrade the museum’s Welshpool collections and research centre, which houses more than 4.5 million artefacts and specimens.
The managing contractor is expected to be selected later this year, with work scheduled to begin in mid-2016.
The new museum will open in 2020.
