Local Government
Perth
Region
Metropolitan
100 Plain St East Perth
Cnr Plain & Hay Sts
Perth
Metropolitan
Constructed from 1949 to 1953
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | Adopted | 18 Jan 2019 | |
| Heritage Agreement | YES | 28 Sep 2022 | HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument |
| State Register | Registered | 18 Jan 2019 | HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Completed\Draft | 13 Mar 2001 | Category 2 | |
| Local Heritage Survey | Completed\Draft | Category 1 | ||
| Perth Draft Inventory 99-01 | YES | 31 Dec 1999 | ||
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: Chemistry Centre (fmr), East Perth, comprising the single storey brick and corrugated fibrocement former Materials Science Building constructed in 1952 in a late rendition of the Inter-War Functionalist style and the site of laboratories and offices constructed between 1942 and 1984, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: + the Materials Science Building is rare in Western Australia for its design, which strongly emulates the international architectural style developed by Dutch architect W. M. Dudok, especially in its external form, massing and detail; + the place was the principal technical centre of the Government Chemical Laboratories (and its successive reorganisations) from 1942 to 2009, and through its scientific work contributed to the development of Western Australia’s mineral & petroleum resources and agriculture in the post-World War II era, demonstrating the value of chemical analysis to successive State Governments in the post-World War II era; + the Materials Science Building is a good representative example of the early influence of the international Modern Movement in State public works under the direction of Principal Architect A.E. (Paddy) Clare; and, Landscape elements, other than the planters of the Materials Science Building, are of little significance.
Face brick building with tall brick chimney and iron roof, which is partially obscured. Prismatic form with mostly uninterrupted surfaces. Small horizontal window band in lower half of the external wall.
The Government Chemical Laboratory were designed by the Public Works Department of W.A Architectural Division.
Low level of integrity Medium level of authenticity as it is intact.
Fair
Normalisation effective from 6 May 2022 upon the gazettal of City Planning Scheme No. 2 Amendment No. 46 and Local Planning Scheme No. 26 (Normalised Redevelopment Areas) Amendment No. 4 (refer to Council Ordinary Meeting held on 31 August 2021)
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9693 | Chemistry centre, Perth: conservation plan. | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2010 |
| 10286 | DRAFT: Chemistry Centre East Perth | Archival Record | 2011 |
| 9722 | Chemlabs design guidelines. | Report | 2010 |
| 9708 | Chemistry centre, Perth | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2011 |
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | SCIENTIFIC | Laboratory or Research Station |
| Present Use | SCIENTIFIC | Laboratory or Research Station |
| Style |
|---|
| Inter-War Stripped Classical |
| Inter-War Functionalist |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | TILE | Terracotta Tile |
| Wall | BRICK | Face Brick |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Institutions |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Resource exploitation & depletion |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Technology & technological change |
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.