Aspect Studios tapped to design Kalgoorlie city centre

Aspect Studios has been appointed to design the redevelopment of the city centre of the regional Western Australian town of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

The mining town is home to a number of historic buildings, as well as a number of examples of Arts and Crafts decorative tiling.

Aspect will first engage in “the development of a project delivery strategy as well as cultural engagement and development of an Aboriginal procurement and employment plan to drive local job creation and business participation opportunities,” before beginning the detailed design phase in January 2020.

Tom Griffiths, Aspect’s Perth studio director, said, “The project is a wonderful opportunity to create an inclusive civic space and focal point for the community to meet, gather and experience a rich array of events and activities throughout the year.

“Through our design process we will seek to develop a project that reflects the City’s unique character, look at what makes a great public space and build on the ideas developed by the community through the consultation process.”

The project will be funded in part with $8 million from the WA government.

WA premier Mark McGowan said, “Moving to detailed design stage is a significant step in turning the community’s vision into reality and delivering on the economic transformation of the city centre.

“The appointment of Aspect Studios to undertake the detailed design work will bring the project to life.

“The project can help transform Kalgoorlie city centre through economic activation, attracting investment to the City and significant opportunities for Aboriginal employment and business participation.”

Elsewhere in WA, Aspect was involved in the collaborative design of Perth’s new Yagan Square, which also involved Lyons and Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects.