New WA Museum revealed in video animation

For the first time, Western Australians are able to get a glimpse of what they will experience when the museum, in the centre of the Perth Cultural Centre, opens in 2020.

While the site is still under construction, the Government hopes the finished space will grow to become a tourism drawcard for national and international visitors.

The Government has revised down the cost of the project from $428 million to $395.9 million, after removing a planned basement exhibition space.

The new animation shows viewers the scale of the project and the dramatic features of the building design, including the contemporary architecture integrating with the historic buildings.
 
It takes viewers on a journey from the city, at Yagan Square, over the Perth Cultural Centre, into the museum’s public spaces where visitors can gather and attend cultural and community events. and through its exhibition galleries showing a view of the famed blue whale skeleton.

Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman said it was an important project for the state.

"It is really exciting to see the new museum come to life and for the first time view the spaces within this world-class project,” said Minister Templeman.
 
"The new museum is almost three times the size of the previous museum. It features exciting new exhibitions, exceptional visitor experiences, greatly improved accessibility and impressive architecture and design. 
 
"Major developments like the new museum, and the rejuvenation of the Perth Cultural Centre will significantly contribute to Western Australia's thriving cultural life and contribute to our city's social and economic growth."
 
The museum is about 30% complete. The project has reached a milestone, with construction now completed at its highest point, five storeys.

"Construction is on schedule for the building to be complete in late 2019 with exhibition fit-out by the end of 2020.

"We've had a few thousand workers on this site over the project's life, 170 workers at this point in time, and we've just concluded the final pour of the concrete flooring on the fifth level," Minister Templeman said.

The revamped Perth Cultural Centre will also incorporate about 1,000 metres2 of commercial space for lease, with the Government calling for expressions of interest from food and creative businesses.

Businesses are encouraged to register their interest through www.mcgees.com.au

The animated video can be viewed here.