Two global architecture firms HASSELL and Office for Metropolitan Architecture(OMA) have revealed design for New Museum for Western Australia. Commissioned by Western Australian Government, two architecture offices will work on the project with leading global contractor Brookfield Multiplex and Western Australian Government for the highly anticipated New Museum for WA.

New Museum Francis Street façade.

The latest design with the contract to design and build, the New Museum was officially awarded to the Brookfield Multiplex-led team. The HASSELL + OMA design, to be located in the heart of Perth’s cultural precinct, has been conceived as a collection of physical and virtual ‘stories’, providing a multidimensional framework for visitors to engage with the Western Australian people and places.

New Museum features a huge transparent box with the existing building.

''Our vision for the design was to create spaces that promote engagement and collaboration, responding to the needs of the Museum and the community. We want it to create a civic place for everyone, an interesting mix of heritage and contemporary architecture that helps revitalise the Perth Cultural Centre while celebrating the culture of Western Australia on the world stage. The design is based on the intersection of a horizontal and vertical loop creating large possibilities of curatorial strategies for both temporary and fixed exhibitions,'' said HASSELL Principal and Board Director Mark Loughnan, and OMA Managing Partner-Architect David Gianotten.

A view of Museum street entrance presents large public space.

The basic feature of design features a public space that is the central point of the new museum, in terms of both location and programming. It is a spectacular outdoor room framed by refurbished heritage buildings and intersected by new buildings and virtual platforms, enabling the diverse stories of Western Australia to be told.

New Museum Francis Street façade.

A large new temporary gallery space will complement the extensive permanent collection of the museum that includes renowned collections including the much-loved Blue Whale skeleton. The Museum will host a diverse range of cultural, retail and dining experiences, increasing visitor numbers especially after hours.

Interior view showing giant stairs also used as sitting area.

Early works are expected to start in late 2016 with main construction starting in 2017. The New Museum is due to be completed in 2020.

Museum view at night.

All images courtesy of HASSELL+OMA

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