VenuesWest chairman Graham Partridge said the aim was to make the Perth Arena a showcase of originality, flair and daring design. Partridge explained the eternity puzzle inspired exterior, jointly designed by Australian architects Ashton Raggatt McDougall and Cameron Chisholm and Nicol with RTKL from Los Angeles, had a strong presence throughout the venue interior including entry, foyers, breakout function rooms and main arena. The blue of the exterior is continued through the interiors and complemented by warm timber panelling and splashes of red, orange and yellow. Locally-mined natural stone is a feature of the entry foyer and other key materials used in the interiors include Blackbutt hardwood, perforated mesh screening, matt anodised aluminium and feature plantation timber wall panelling.Design director Howard Raggatt said the aim was to reinvent the perception of a standard arena and make something that would become an icon for the city. “Our inspiration started with the Roundhouse in Fremantle, the designs of Middle Ages and Renaissance Ideal City drawings, and the Eternity Puzzle – like the Roundhouse, a 12-sided puzzle,” he said. “Perth Arena has been designed to provoke symbolic interpretation, create direct visual responses from all approaches, and become an integral part of the city’s overall Urban Design and Architectural Strategy.” The arena is due to open in 2011-2012.
