The Silver LiningGet ready for Open House Perth 2015!
Posted on November 2, 2015
This coming weekend sees Open House once again invite you inside, around and on top of more than 80 locations around our green and growing city. Running over Saturday and Sunday, explore the heights of the Central Park Tower rooftop, the unmistakable baroque excess of His Majesty’s Theatre, or even look inside some of Perth’s newest spaces such as the Cathedral Square and the Perth City Link.
An exciting change to the Open House program is the addition of a number of food and drink venues, such as Bar Lafayette and The Flour Factory, some of whom will be doing something a little special for the event such as tastings or exclusive menus. Personally, we can never go past a visit to the architect-designed homes dotted around the city. A quick glance at this year’s selection and I’m already certain that I’m going to end up inspired to makeover our own home yet again.
Take a look at the Open House Perth program over here to plan your weekend’s itinerary!
Open House Perth 2015 / Saturday 7th November and Sunday 8th November
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Paddington St – Open House Perth
Posted on December 10, 2014
Many of you may know that one day in the near (or more likely far) future we dream of renovating our own beloved California bungalow, so we’re always on the lookout for fresh new ideas of how to do it right. We’d love to do something that adds clean, light-filled and modern open spaces to our home which we adore but has some spaces that are admittedly pokey. So rather than stalking homes vicariously over Pinterest or Instagram, Open House Perth gave us the opportunity to walk through and experience a real life innovative renovation.
This home, by Mountford Architects, is a great example of a creative marriage of old and new. By adding a corridor to the side of the existing home, the space is opened up without having to bash and crash through old existing walls. We both also really love the way that the corridor not only is a functional component, but is also a personal gallery of sorts for the family that lives there.
The best part of this home? It could be yours! It is still for sale at present but chances are it won’t be for long.
Paddington St Residence, by Mountford Architects
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State Theatre Centre – Open House Perth
Posted on November 25, 2014
Music concerts and gigs have always been more my thing rather than theatre and dance, but I’ve always wanted a glimpse inside the glamorous yet dignified State Theatre Centre that opened in 2011 and spearheaded the wave of more innovative, daring and intentional public architecture in Perth. I remember thinking I’d never seen anything like it around young P-town, and could never resist dancing on all silly-like on the colourful lights near the main entrance (who else has pretended they were Tom Hanks from the movie BIG? Y’all own up now…).
I’ve always been inexplicably attracted to the warm shine of the suspended bronze tubes, set against and softened by the natural tones of Tasmanian blackwood panels. The perfect pairing of metal and timber is then drawn together by frames of austere black that offer an air of solemnity. I love how this structure inspires awe and delights the eye without losing its sense of purpose or dignity, or ever going “over the top”.
It’s no wonder that Kerry Hill Architects won the chance to build their incredible design over a group of 40 entrants from all over the world. The impressive and universally loved theatre centre is home to the 575 seat Heath Ledger Theatre, and also contains a number of smaller, flexible performance and rehearsal spaces. Two local theatre companies, Black Swan State Theatre Company and the Perth Theatre Company, are lucky enough to call this space theirs, with shows opening year round.
Find the list of performances here. I can’t wait to take a seat in the Heath Ledger Theatre someday soon.
Every Friday this November and December, RTRFM are taking over the Courtyard space and broadcasting their show live, followed by sets from some of Perth’s best music acts. Entry is free and there’s even a pop-up bar! What’s not to love?
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Sussex St – Open House Perth
Posted on November 18, 2014
The first destination we visited for Open House Perth was this amazingly well designed house by Mountford Architects. Located in a semi-industrial area of Maylands, this home maximises its space by utilising a simple, elegant design which allows cross ventilation and easy access to the garden. The widespread use of louvred windows allows light and breeze to permeate the house (and also form cool-looking rainbow reflections on the walls!). There is a single pitched roof over the home which causes hot air to rise to the top of the house, where it is vented through an open window, thereby cooling the house. In addition the house enhances its environmental credentials with solar panels and a grey water system for the garden (definitely something to think about for our place!).
The design of the garden worked in cohesion with the design of the house – a testament to the teamwork of the landscape gardener and architect. We both really liked the clean lines and the considered nature of this house, and the way that the productive garden was located so close. There were lots of good ideas to take away from this one!
Sussex St by Mountford Architects
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Perth City opens its doors
Posted on November 10, 2014
We were like two kids in a candy shop, gleefully and excitedly buzzing around our great city during the two days over which Open House Perth was held. Over 70 places opened their doors and welcomed in the general public, allowing us access to magnificent vistas of the city, into the workspaces of local creatives, and into a number of architecturally-designed private residences. Venues ranged from brand-spanking new to heritage-listed, and all were interesting and inspiring in their own ways. We also learnt a fair bit about Perth’s history just by touring certain places such as the 108 St Georges Terrace (previously Bankwest Tower), Council House and Moana Chambers (a ballroom back in its heyday!).
We got 16 places ticked off our hit-list and, though there’ll be plenty more blog posts to come showcasing the great hidden and not-so-hidden spaces around Perth, here is our highlight reel.
Lake House
Council House
Casa 31_4 Room House
View upwards on St Georges Terrace
Moana Chambers/Moana Coffee
108 St Georges Terrace
Paddington St
Sussex St
Another corner of Paddington St
Dapper Jack/Studio Bomba/On A Whim
108 St Georges Terrace lobby and view from 50th floor
Geyer Studios (Atlas Building)
State Theatre Centre
Gotham Studios
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Open House Perth
Posted on October 30, 2014
This weekend Perth opens its doors and let’s you see inside 70 venues dotted around the city. Open House Perth is running this Saturday and Sunday (1st and 2nd November) and gives you the chance to look behind the scenes of some very public places and also into some very intimate private residences. This is the third year Perth has hosted this worldwide event and we’re super honoured to be given the chance to cover the event as official media partners – so stay tuned for a look at our favourite destinations!
So far, places on our must-see list are David Weir’s Apartment House (pictured third from the top), Sussex St House (fourth from the top), Post Studio and Gallery (fifth from top) and the State Theatre Centre (last picture). Other venues open for viewing are a number of other architecturally designed homes, as well as many architectural firms themselves and some cool spaces around Perth such as Paper Mountain, La Petite Galerie, PICA, Beau Est Mien and Moana Chambers. Not only that, there are also several amazing sounding guided walking tours around the city. So much to see, so much to do!
This is an exceptional event run by a small group of passionate people (Here’s lookin’ at you, Carly!) with a tremendous love for architecture in this city. Come down, explore and check out Open House Perth this weekend! You are bound to have your eyes opened by the amount of hidden gems in this city.
Open House Perth / 10am to 5pm / Sat Nov 1st and Sun Nov 2
Image credits (from top): Jinn, Stephan Nicholls, Martin Farquharson, Matt Biocich, Vanity Projects, Robert Frith.
The Silver Lining 