2013 National Architecture Awards: Commercial

Jury citation

Expertly negotiating an abandoned site, unloved heritage, complex security requirements and commercial demands, Brookfield Place not only provides a bold tower design, but also importantly contributes a civic realm to the city of Perth.

Permeability and legibility for the whole precinct has been achieved with the introduction of a street pattern for the site that stitches together the ground plane with neighbouring sites and streets. The clever integration and adaptive reuse of previously neglected heritage buildings brings vitality to the precinct, enlivening the local economy and building a place for people.

The pedestrian-focused public realm/ground plane continues into the dual lobby of the tower. The scale and handling of these lobby levels and formal passages grounds the form of the tower without over-powering the pedestrian precinct. The large, handsome tower dominates the city skyline, shifting expectations of form and colour for the city, with a scale and exoskeleton structure boldly expressive of the owner. Large floor plates with side core meet contemporary workplace requirements. Control of form and configuration to orientation, in combination with high-performance glazing, ensure appropriate sustainability performance.

The architects have skilfully leveraged the commercial program for significantly improved urban activity and heritage benefit, which in turn enhances the amenity for office workers. The extraordinary transformation of a long-derelict site creates an excellent public realm and successfully returns a major precinct to the city.