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If there are diverse kinds of knowledge and ways of knowing place, then we need to learn to value the different ways each of us sees a single place that is significant, but differently so, for each perspective.
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wandering Perth's CBD « Previous | |Next »
March 29, 2008

I had little time to wander and explore around the CBD of Perth due to work commitments. But I did manage to walk up and down St. Georges Terrace exploring the street and the architecture --the old and new. This strip was the finance sector, and the corporate buildings were a mixture of nineteenth century, brutalist modernism and the glassy international style with a postmodernist touch.

Perthheritage.jpg Gary Sauer-Thompson, heritage, Perth CBD, 2008

The shopping precinct still appeared to be centred in the Hay Street mall and, from what I could make out, little had changed as a result of the boom. The expansion in the CBD was in corporate finance. I did see signs of a new shopping complex being built in St Georges Terrace--an indication that a big boom needs a new up to date consumer palace with unrestricted trading hours.

Should this circa 1960s modernism be seen as heritage?:

PerthInsurance.jpg Gary Sauer-Thompson, State Insurance Office, off St Georges Terrace, 2008

Then we have the gesture to the postmodern in what is heralded as the finest modern landmark office towers in Perth and Perth's premier corporate headquarters. The building signifies that Perth is no longer stuck in a 1970s mentality like Adelaide:

PerthCentralPark1.jpg Gary Sauer-Thompson, Central Park, Perth CBD, 2008

This is 21st century Perth, whose image is that it is becoming Australia's version of California. I couldn't see it myself--the population is so white and Anglo-Saxon---but this was the self image of many living in Perth.

| Posted by Gary Sauer-Thompson at 10:14 AM | | Comments (4)
Comments

Comments

Perth is wonderful place to live in.Yeah this finance corporate building looks to be a mixture of old and new architecture.

Bill,
The State Insurance Office building looks more akin to brutalist modernism to me. Something done in the 60's. It is very similar to the SGIO building in Victoria Square in Adelaide.

Pam,
The State Insurance Office struck me as heavy and very out of keeping with the 'California' atmosphere (sun, beach, heat) of Perth. For some reason I associated the building with old Perth---The insecurity, fear and parochialism of the long-time locals and that entrenched Eastern states phobia/discrimination/dislike.

Gary
isn't Riverside meant to signify the 21st Century Perth? Urban redevelopment that rediscovers the river. It's all about modern urban living and lifestyle through reconnecting the CBD with the river etc