Western Australia
This “occupied sculpture” represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make an iconic contribution to the City of Perth.
Known as the ‘Icepick’, it overlooks Parliamentary House and fulfills important literal and metaphorical functions.
The crystalline geometry houses a meeting place for tourists, an office for locals, and a cafe with terrace for everyone; and it engages passers-by at every scale, from pedestrians to motorists.
It also marks the spot where St Georges Terrace was unceremoniously severed from the Parliamentary precinct by construction of the Mitchell Freeway in the 1960s.
The Icepick therefore serves as a temporal bridge, enabling people to imagine how these disparate parts might be stitched back together, if and when the Parliamentary Promenade is realised.
This unique project provides a new perspective on a previously forgotten and neglected part of the city, and its presence may contribute to the ongoing renewal of this area.
This new building is unlike anything else in Perth, and its uniqueness is one of the things we love most about it.
We set out to create something iconic on a tiny sliver of disused land, and the outcome exceeded all of our expectations.
Already the building has made a significant contribution to the street and city, thanks to its highly visible shape and appearance, and we’re confident that as all of the new elements come online – the café, the lookout, the bike charging stations and water fountain – that it will become a much-loved and admired addition to Perth.
Jose Morales Macedo, Senior Designer (Architect registered in Peru)
CADDS Energy, ESD Consultant
Espin Capital, Developer
Fozdar, Kamal Fozdar, Engineer
Mark Rubie, Building Surveyor
MDC Global, Electrical Consultant
ORA, Civil Consultant
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
