New projects help drive city’s creative, cultural development

IN addition to the vigorous commercial construction activity in the city in recent years, the resources boom and resulting prosperity also ignited discussions around 'place making' and the opportunity to create a liveable, attractive and sustainable city.

Local organisations such as FORM and Committee For Perth have pushed the agenda for creative, cultural and social capacity building projects to stimulate the city through both the built form and activating public spaces.

Some of the city's newest cultural developments are beginning to take shape.

The Perth Arena, designed by local firm Cameron Chisholm Nicol, and the State Theatre Centre of WA, designed by Fremantle firm Kerry Hill Architects, are likely to be delivered within the next two years.

As well as their functional performance and sporting roles, both facilities were designed to be defining architectural landmarks for the city.

Public space activation has also been on the agenda.

Local firm Woodhead designed the redevelopment of Forrest Place, re-invigorating one of the Perth CBD's premier civic spaces into, among other things, a performance space.

According to Woodhead, the redevelopment aims to create a more legible square free from clutter, providing a welcoming space for people to inhabit all year round.

"One of the major constraints to the space is the 1.2 metre level change between Perth Train Station and Forrest Place," project leader Matthew Griffiths said.

"To overcome this, we are proposing an extensive ramp between the Perth Station forecourt and the main Forrest Place level, providing a coherent civic plane that provides universal access into Forrest Place including a unique 30-metre pedestrian crossing."

The permanent stage facilities currently in the square will be replaced with a new stage, stage canopy and extensive backstage facilities.

A $1 million international sculpture competition, called situate, also forms part of the redevelopment.

Another ambitious project that is beginning to gain traction is the development of a sculpture park on Herisson Island.

Its proponents say the activation of this 28-hectare island will create a major tourist attraction in the heart of the city and a landmark entrance to the city.

The project has already received $4.5 million in funding from the City of Perth for the first stage of the 20-year master-plan vision.

The revamp is expected to cost around $50 million, with the master plan featuring ferry terminals, an amphitheatre, observation deck and temporary exhibitions.

GHD has presented three design options for a footbridge linking the island to the mainland, which will provide an entry statement to the island.

Herisson Island Sculpture Park Inc spokesperson Anthony Hasluck said the acceptance of the proposed master plan and initial funding support was a big step forward.

"The next step is to continue to work very closely with the City of Perth to get part of the master plan implemented," he said.

"The bridge would be one of the first things to be built. It will be a functioning work of art in its own right.

Mr Hasluck said the popularity of the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition at Cottesloe beach validated the viability of the concept.

The revitalisation of the Perth Cultural Centre - bordered by the Art Gallery, Perth Library and Museum - is also in the pipeline.