2022 National Award for Public Architecture

Jury citation

This true civic building transforms the heart of Fremantle into an inclusive, transparent oasis for its community.

A veiled metallic screen dresses the building’s upper envelope, offering glimpses of the interior while shrouding it from the elements as a sustainable climatic response. The simple notion of a rolling lawn connecting the centre to the street realm and an elevated gathering platform from which the workings of its civic heart can be observed is delightful and imparts generational playfulness and activity.

The visible, readable plan is anchored by the solid, representative geometry of the council chamber, which transcends multiple levels. Design and material interactions greet you as you journey through the building, from the library’s response to sunken courtyards to the main facade’s subtle interaction with the historic town hall envisaging a multi-layered, generational design aspect.

Superbly crafted, detailed and generous in facility and representation, the Walyalup Civic Centre offers itself to the public to experience and contribute to its community ownership.

— Walyalup Civic Centre will be reviewed in Architecture Australia January/February 2023 .

Project credits

Architect Kerry Hill Architects (KHA); Project team Kerry Hill, Patrick Kosky, Seán McGivern, Gertjan Groen, Anna Siefert, Ryan Brown, Lan Nguyen, Nazilla Jongejan, Martin Mulchrone, Alexandra Quick, Lee Kheng Teoh, Levi Phillips, Nick Derickx, Simon Cundy, Nicholas Putrasia, Jasmine Pummer, Emily Sullivan, Jacqui Armstrong, Lucy Dennis, Maricel Marbus; Builder Pindan Constructions, CDI Group; Project manager and superintendent Sirona Capital Management; Superintendent representative Total Project Management; Structural, mechanical, civil and fire engineering, fire services Stantec Australia; Electrical engineering, vertical transport Best Consultants; Hydraulic consultant PGD Consulting; ESD Link Engineering; Acoustics Marshall Day Acoustics; Landscape consultant Plan E; Specialist lighting design Nothing Into Something; Lighting commissioning Firefly Point of View; Building surveyor Resolve Group; Facade engineering Inhabit Group; Waste consultant Encycle Consulting; Heritage consultant Hocking Heritage; Heritage structural engineer Atelier JV; Signage Turner Design; Height-safety consultant Altura Height Safety Professionals; AV consultant UT Consulting; Traffic consultant Edge Transport Solutions.

Walyalup Civic Centre is located in Fremantle, Western Australia on the land of the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation.