Jury Citation

The design of the State Theatre Centre of Western Australia has raised the bar for civic design, going beyond simply meeting the demands of a challenging project brief. Its design and purpose are clearly articulated in the organisation of the theatre’s spaces and functions.

What is laudable is the creation of multi-layered foyers, where activities and performances can take place, connecting the building to the streets outside. Windows are cleverly used in the expansive rehearsal room to let in daylight. The use of materials is remarkably rich, bringing out the beauty and elegance of the theatre. Key architectural elements are appropriately scaled, respecting the adjacent heritage buildings while relating well to the Cultural Centre context.

The Jury commends the significant role of the building’s architecture in enhancing the theatre’s contributions to invigorating the arts and local communities, and regenerating the Cultural Centre of Perth in the process.

Nominator Citation

PROFESSOR GEOFFREY LONDON
WINTHROP PROFESSOR OF ARCHITECTURE
FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL ARTS

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
I am writing to nominate the State Theatre Centre in Perth, Western Australia, for Singapore’s President’s Design Award. The architectural commission for this project was awarded to Singapore-based Kerry Hill Architects (KHA) as the result of a two-stage international architectural competition. In my role as Government Architect of Western Australia then, I chaired the jury that selected the winning architects. The jury comprised a highly qualified group with strong international representation. KHA’s design was selected unanimously as the winner and the choice was widely celebrated.

The design was judged to be a very intelligent solution to a complex site, producing a clearly legible organisation of all the components of the venue. It was thought that the main architectural elements were appropriately scaled and that it respected adjacent heritage buildings while relating well to the Cultural Centre context. The design activated Roe Street and the William Street/Roe Street corner with a transparent, multi-layered foyer. Public circulation was encouraged through the venue with a new urban performance space linking James and William Streets. There was to be an innovative and well-chosen palette of materials, and a luminous fly tower, creating a compelling night time landmark for the performing arts facility and the Cultural Centre in general. The key move, the central architectural idea, to stack the theatres on top of one another, was thought to be particularly innovative, with the very positive outcome of providing the venue with an additional performance space, the arcaded courtyard.

The built outcome delivered all that was promised — and more. The spectacular gold entry sequence will prove to be one of Perth’s most memorable spaces. The primary theatre, lined with timber, is a warm and welcoming venue, offering excellent audience connection with the stage. Underneath, the ‘black box’ theatre signals its experimental function with more rudimentary, workshop-like finishes. And yet another performance space is introduced as a result of the strategic linking of the black box space with the rehearsal space behind.

This is a major new building for Perth, setting new standards of architectural excellence and demonstrating how quality design thinking can seriously enhance the ambitions established in a project brief. It will be a benchmark for years to come.

I commend it in the highest possible terms.