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The Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA), founded in 1895, occupies a precinct of three heritage buildings within the Perth Cultural Centre. The Gallery houses the State Art Collection, which includes one of the world’s finest collections of Indigenous art, the pre-eminent collection of Western Australian art and design, as well as Australian and international art and design. The main gallery is a unique modernist building, designed around 120-degree angles and modular wall lengths of 7, 14 and 21 metres. Its central features are a cast concrete spiral staircase and vistas between and across the gallery spaces that use the 120-degree angles to stimulate peripheral vision. In 2019, the Gallery will celebrate the 49th Anniversary of this main gallery building. The Art Gallery of Western Australia encompasses the centenary galleries, formerly the Perth Police Courts. The building was restored and opened for the display of art in 1995. A courtroom and its holding cells were retained and can be viewed by visitors.

The Bell Tower Perth, Home of the Swan Bells, welcomed a new bell in October. Named the ANZAC Bell, it weighs 6.5 tonnes, is the largest swinging bell in the Southern Hemisphere and is expected to last over 500 years. 2018 marks 100-years since the Armistice, now named Remembrance Day. The ANZAC bell celebrates and commemorates the Centenary, and will serve as a lasting memorial to all Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women who were involved in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations around the world. As part of the Remembrance Day Commemorative Service 2018, the  ANZAC Bell rang out for the first time following the 100 Buglers sounding of the Last Post, near 11am.

Liv apartments developed by Defence Housing Australia (DHA), was recognised by UDIA WA for setting new standards for high-density urban living with the development of Liv Apartments in the East End of Fremantle. Designed by the award winning international firm Hassell, Liv Apartments’ unique features has earned it the rare and coveted ‘One Planet Living Community’ accreditation—joining the prestigious company of only 20 developments world-wide and seven within Australia recognised by Bioregional for national leadership in creating healthy, happy and affordable living within a supportive broader community. DHA worked closely with the City of Fremantle—a One Planet City— to build a thriving complex of 166 apartments and 9 retail tenancies that will improve the health and wellbeing of general residents, Australian Defence Force personnel and the Fremantle community. The shared vision has rejuvenated the East End by reintroducing active residential, community and commercial amenities to the area.

Palace Raine Square cinemas marked the return of the cinematic experience to the Perth CBD when the doors opened in September 2018.  Designed by award winning studio Design Office, the luxury cinema features nine traditional auditoriums, a palatial foyer and three bespoke bar areas including a dazzling champagne bar and lounge.  Palace Platinum – the premium cinema offering of Palace Cinemas – features four boutique auditoriums and a private lounge and bar area. Every cinema features reclining handmade leather seats imported from Spain, spacious plush interiors, 2K high definition screens and Dolby surround sound. The rooftop terrace mixes the heritage of the traditional building with the contemporary cinema design.

Inspired by hadiqa, the Arabic word for garden, this rooftop bar and supper club is infused with Middle Eastern influences. Boasting open air spaces with an operable roof, the roof terrace and courtyard have been designed as a garden terrace. With over 570sqms of space filled with greenery with mass lantern style pendants, Hadiqa is truly a unique venue situated in the Hibernian Place precinct neighboured by The Westin Hotel. Understanding key design principles ensured their culture and brand presence was reinforced with both the functional design and the interior fit-out. The combination of mass greenery, decorative lighting, granite, mosaic tiles, dark timbers, strategically placed Hadiqa blues ensured the interior fit-out was aligned with the food and beverage offer for which Hadiqa is synonymous.

The owners of ‘The Ash’ came to Dalecki Design looking to create a light, bright home with a functional layout utilising a layered, mixed material palette. As a young, growing family, it was imperative that the home was not only suited to their current lifestyle needs, but also supported them through the different stages of life. It was also extremely important for the family that there be a strong connection between the indoor and outdoor living zones that takes advantage of the block’s northern aspect.   

Perth Girls School is a magnificent 1930's Art Deco gem perched on high on the hill at the heart of East Perth. Recently re-opened to the public in partnership with Artrage, the Girls School has provided an exciting new dimension to the cultural opportunities with the winter Cinema program and growing role as a Perth Fringe Festival hub. This role will evolve further as the Girls School grows into an exciting new destination complete with additional entertainment, food and retail amenity, ready to support the first onsite residents in a range of exciting apartment living options.

First visiting the Lake House in 2014 is one of my most vivid memories of my time with Open House Perth. My husband and fellow Open House founder, Stephen Corns, made sure we made the time. This home embodies a lot of our personal beliefs in good design - that its not about the amount of space, but the quality. When we arrived late in the afternoon we were taken aback by the large number of people lining up to see the house, and we soon found out that over 1200 people had already seen it. I was overcome with emotion that so many West Australian's had an affinity with the great design and ideas driving this project - and was incredibly lucky to have its talented architect Jonathan Lake nearby for a hug. It was one of the early moments I felt that Open House Perth had an important role to play in helping people better understand good design thru experience - which was everything I had hoped for it since the beginning. Thanks to Jonathan and his family for allowing us the pleasure of opening this amazing house on a few occasions. words by Carly Barrett

Popularly known as the Space Invader House, Florence Street was part of our very first event all the way back in 2012. It's been incredible to see how the work by Klopper Davis Architect's has evolved over the year, but as part of our very first event this one will always have a special place in my heart. Confession time... I never had a chance to see it. I was so busy in the early days I hardly got to see our great spaces and this is one of those amazing fish that got away. One of the things that is so special about this particular project is its urban setting and tight footprint. Not only is it a great example of an inner-city family house that has room for everything including a backyard, trampoline and a pool but its a testament to the enduring talent of Klopper Davis Architects who have managed to be involved in every year of Open House Perth. Words by Carly Barrett

The design response for this Coogee beach house was to the detach the housing module from the row of townhouses and push it to the street boundary. This move allowed Gresley Abas to create a private cloistered courtyard garden space, defined by steel portal frames and planting trellises, that make this space an integral part of the dwelling. The house then leans forward to the north to capture the ocean views whilst being protected from the unrelenting freo doctor. The internal planning inverts traditional spatial arrangements, favouring the placement of the open living/kitchen space on the upper level to integrate ocean views into everyday living whilst providing a generous connection to the courtyard. Circulation through the house is fluid around the central cabinetry core, and floor to ceiling glazing on the north and west facade give the house a very generous sense of space and light.