Whadjuk people of the Nyoongar nation
Western Australia
Bassendean hotel presented the opportunity for Woods Bagot to rejuvenate a historic landmark, transforming the tired inter-war building and disjointed interiors into an inclusive, contemporary multi-venue destination featuring six bars and nine different zones.
The design spun from a deep understanding of the multi-layered history of ‘the Basso’, and an ambition to reinstate the corner hotel’s role as the community’s social and cultural heart. The refurbishment activates the entire building including a new courtyard facing Old Perth Road. Each space tells a different story inspired by the building itself and guest experiences personified by its eclectic history. Where the design team could not reveal original finishes, it exposed the original structure – the beams and the brickwork, the marks of the people who built it.
The stories reveal themselves with authenticity and soul, whilst new layers including local artist commissions; photography; textured finishes; curated antiques contribute to a casual spirited ambiance.
Bassendean Hotel represented a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reignite a community lynchpin and challenge the typology of the local pub. Woods Bagot’s two-year redevelopment has sprung from the team’s deep understanding of the multi-layered history of the 1930s hotel– a history that the architects honour in the six bars, two kitchens and nine signature zones. In Basso, Woods Bagot challenged the idea of the humble Australian pub, from an exclusive, male-dominated space to one that offers a different atmosphere for each demographic, including children. Upon opening Basso became a catalyst for community to a degree that surpassed even our own dreams.
Emily Simpson, Graduate of Architecture
Eva Sue, Principal in Charge
John Liddiard, Technical Leader
Joshua Bastian, Design Architect
Kevin Liew, Design Architect
Sara Giunco, Interior Designer
Griffiths Architects, Heritage
See Design Studio Landscape, Landscape Consultant
Stantec, Acoustic Consultant
Stantec, Services Consultant
Stantec, Structural Engineer