International firms OMA and Hassell joined forces on the design of the newly completed WA Museum Boola Bardip at the Perth Cultural Centre in Western Australia. Conceived as a collection of stories about the region’s rich history, diversity, and contemporary culture, the museum weaves this narrative across heritage buildings as well as new-builds. A new outdoor City Room was established at the heart of the property to host cultural programming and daily social interactions. “The Museum is deeply rooted in Western Australia,” says architect and OMA managing partner David Gianotten. “We are proud to have created an architecture where the state’s culture is passed on and continuously made.”
The museum features two circulation loops—one vertical, one horizontal—that intersect to connect the historic volumes with the new structures. The duality of old and new aims to showcase the robust architectural history and future of Perth. “The Museum is unique in both the Australian and international cultural landscape,” adds OMA regional director Paul Jones. “It invites visitors to not only passively look at exhibitions, but also become active creators of their own museum experiences. Visitors can choose museum journeys relevant to them and engage in dialogues with each other.”
