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Thursday, 17 October 2024

New civic precinct a step closer as tender process begins

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The City today commenced a two-stage tender process to appoint an architecture firm to design the new civic building at 241 Rokeby Road, within the Civic Precinct, calling for Expressions of Interest (EOIs).
 
EOIs will be accepted from architecture firms across Australia until 21 November 2024.
 
Following the EOI, a small number of firms will be invited to produce concept designs that demonstrate their understanding of the project scope, building location and heritage of the Civic Precinct.
 
Council is expecting to award the design tender and appoint the successful architect at an Ordinary Council Meeting in mid-2025.
 
Mayor David McMullen said the City is following a process and taking the advice necessary to deliver a successful project.
 
“The Council Chambers and Administration building on Rokeby Road is over 50 years old and in need of replacement,” he said.
 
“The challenge is to deliver a new civic building and precinct with the functionality that the City needs in order to continue servicing the community long into the future; a level of design excellence appropriate to the location; and a sense of ownership and enthusiasm for the community to share in.
 
“And this all must be done in a financially responsible way.
 
“Once we appoint our architect and have a concept design, this will give us a solid foundation on which to consult with the community.
 
“This consultation will be an essential part of the project and is likely to commence in the second half of 2025.
 
“It will guide decision making and inform the design of the precinct.
 
“Council is highly engaged on this project and looking forward to delivering a revitalised precinct that reflects the unique character of Subiaco, its past, present and future.”
 
Benefits of the two-stage tender process being utilised by the City include better assessment of tenderers in relation to specific needs, illustration of various design opportunities, and testing of the tender design brief for feasibility.
 
The tender process will be overseen by CityLab, Australia’s leading design procurement agency, with the probity overseen by O’Connor Marsden & Associates Pty Ltd.
 
Council will be supported in its decision-making by a jury panel of architectural industry leaders.

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Additional information:

  • The Civic precinct is bound by Rokey, Bagot and Hamersly Roads. It encompasses:

    • The Fallen Soldiers Memorial (1923)

    • Museum (1923)

    • E H Parker Library (1971)

    • Council and Administration (built in several stages with initial construction commencing in 1967).

  • The previous Council Chambers and Administration Building at 241 Rokeby Road, built over several stages commencing in 1967, has reached end of life. A redevelopment of the precinct is a key priority in the City’s Corporate Business Plan 2021-2025, with Council resolving to investigate a rebuild in December 2022 before a fire put additional impetus on the project.

  • The preliminary design brief for 241 Rokeby Road was included at the OCM held 19 March 2024 (Agenda Item C4, attachment 1, p. 111), with minor adjustments.

  • The Jury panel supporting Council to identify a preferred architecture firm includes:

    • Emma Williamson (Chair): Emma Williamson was appointed Government Architect for Western Australia in February 2024. She is the co-founder and Partner at award-winning creative consultancy, TheFulcrum.Agency, with nearly 30 years of architectural experience. She was named a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects in 2022.

    • Mark Jacques: Mark Jacques is an urban designer and landscape architect based in Melbourne. He is a Professor of Architecture (Urbanism) Industry Fellow at RMIT University, where he teaches in the Master of Urban Design program. In 2016 he established Openwork to undertake collaborative projects, research and speculation into public space.

    • Geoffrey London: Geoffrey is the Emeritus Professor of Architecture at the University of Western Australia and professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne. He is a life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) and Honorary Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Architects. He previously held the positions of Victorian Government Architect (2008 - 2014) and Western Australian Government Architect (2004 - 2008).

    • Shelley Penn: Shelley Penn is a Melbourne-based architect whose work includes strategic advice to government and the private sector on architecture and urban design for public places across all scales. Shelley has held a number of significant positions, including member of the Victorian Design Review Panel and the Capital City Design Review Panel in South Australia, an Adjunct Professor in Architecture Practice at Monash University.

 

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