World-class architects on shortlist to design new WA Museum

Three of the world’s most famous architects are competing to design and build the new $428 million WA Museum.

Firms headed by Norman Foster, the mind behind London’s 'The Gherkin' skyscraper, French architect Jean Nouvel and Dutch designer Rem Koolhaas - all winners of the prestigious Pritzker Prize for Architecture - are in the three consortia short-listed to develop the Perth Cultural Centre site.

Construction firm John Holland heads a design and construction team involving Foster and Partners, which also designed the British Museum’s Great Court, and local architects Hames Sharley.

A joint venture of the Doric Group and Tecnicas Reunidas builders have teamed with Ateliers Jean Nouvel, responsible for the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris, and Perth architects Cameron Chisholm Nicol and Parry and Rosenthal Architects.

The third shortlisted consortium is Brookfield Multiplex working with Koolhaas’ Rotterdam firm OMA, which designed the Musee National Des Beaux Arts in Quebec, and local architects HASSELL.

Announcing the three design consortia, Western Australian Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said he was impressed by the calibre of the respondents that had been shortlisted.

Minister Day stated "tThe consortia incorporate design teams responsible for some of the world's most iconic designs including museum and cultural projects in Paris, Quebec and London.

"They will now work with Government on their design proposals for the new museum to ensure they meet the State's requirements."

The Minister said the Western Australian Museum had been working closely with a range of user groups on the content and visitor experience for the new museum and had recently established community panels to provide ongoing input to the project.

Minister Day added "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 West Australians deserve.

"The driving philosophy behind the museum is 'people first' and this will continue to be the Government's focus."

Early works for the new museum project are already under way including conservation works to heritage buildings at the Perth site, where the new museum will be located, as well as the refurbishment and upgrade of the museum's Welshpool Collections and Research Centre.

The new museum for WA is due to open in 2020.

For more information go to www.museum.wa.gov.au/new-museum

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