COMMUNITY / CULTURE
WA Museum Boola Bardip WA Museum Boola Bardip designed in joint venture by international design practices Hassell + OMA and delivered in partnership with managing contractor Multiplex, opened to the public on 21 November 2020. In the following pages are three perspectives on the new museum: from the Hon David Templeman Minister for Local Government, Heritage, Culture and the Arts; Alec Coles, CEO of the WA Museum Boola Bardip; and Peter Dean (Hassell Principal and Design Director) and Paul Jones (OMA Regional Director).
WORDS: SANDY ANGHIE PHOTOGRAPHY: PETER BENNETTS / MICHAEL HALUWANA
Honourable David Templeman MLA. Minister for Local Government; Heritage; Culture and the Arts
For Minister Templeman, overseeing the new WA Museum Boola Bardip has been one of the major highlights of his time in government so far. “When we came into government there were fiscal issues to be addressed, and all projects were analysed to determine whether they should be delayed or paused”, Minister Templeman said. “However, I was extremely pleased to see the new museum progress.” From an architecture perspective, Minister Templeman believes the new museum is a remarkable achievement in terms of design – particularly given the challenges of the constrained site and the existing colonial buildings. “The design was required to preserve the structure and integrity of the colonial buildings that had housed the museum for most of their lifetime, but also deliver a modern building and modern galleries for the new future of the museum”, Minister Templeman said. “I think the result is a magnificent marriage of old and new.” A few examples include the new City Room which
is spectacular in scale while respectful to the Old Gaol dating from the mid-19th Century, and perhaps Minister Templeman’s favourite element, the refurbished Hackett Hall, originally built in 1913, which now houses the museum’s famous blue whale exhibit. In addition to addressing our recent heritage, Minister Templeman is pleased to see the new museum embrace our Indigenous history and culture through architecture, the galleries and landscape. “It’s fitting that the opening exhibition is Songlines”, Minister Templeman said. “The new museum will be an important place for learning about Indigenous culture and heritage.” Minister Templeman has been a regular visitor to the museum site since work began in 2017. “There is an easy free flow from gallery to gallery, space to space”, he said. “And the flexibility of these spaces will enable the new museum to be well used – not just for exhibitions but also events.” In particular, Minister Templeman looks forward to seeing the new museum integrated into the programs of events such as the Fringe Festival, Perth Festival and the Awesome Festival. →
© PETER BENNETTS, COURTESY OF HASSELL + OMA
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CULTURE / WA MUSEUM BOOLA BARDIP
