Perth Concert Hall

Statement of Significance

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The following statement, is taken from the gazetted permanent State Register Entry for the place, as the reasons for its cultural heritage significance: Perth Concert Hall, a civic building designed as a performance and reception venue in Late Twentieth-Century Stripped Classical style, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
+ the place has provided Perth and Western Australia with a performance venue of international standard since 1973, allowing the State to host events it could not otherwise have experienced. The place is highly valued for these social and cultural associations;
+ the place is a fine example of Late Twentieth-Century Stripped Classical style because of its expression of symmetrical composition, strong horizontal roof element and peristyle like colonnade. These
attributes reinforce a sense of occasion appropriate for a modern, civic building;
+ the place demonstrates technical achievement in the fine acoustic qualities of the auditorium, which are recognised and appreciated by performers and patrons;
since the place opened in 1973, it has been the principal performing venue for the West Australian Symphony Orchestra;
+ the place demonstrates an achievement in construction technology recognised by an award from the Concrete Institute of Australia and expresses fine aesthetic qualities in the colour and texture of the principal building material; and,
+ the place is closely associated with architects Jeffrey Howlett and Don Bailey, who designed the place after winning the original design competition for a Town Hall and auditorium in 1961.

Physical Description

A freestanding off-form concrete building with parking area underneath. Large vertical windows between concrete columns are set back under strong horizontal concrete roof element.

History

Building constructed in Perth in the early 1970's to provide facilities for concert performances.

The Concert Hall was awarded the Concrete Institute of Australia Excellence in Concrete Award for its use of off-form concrete. In addition the innovative use of white cement provides an interesting quality of light.

Integrity/Authenticity

High level of integrity.

High level of authenticity as it is intact.

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.