Two Scale and Height Options

The architectural theme for the core area must complement the beautiful riverine setting while being of an appropriate scale and density to match the monumental quality of the existing power station building and its proposed civic role.

Two built form options have been described in the East Perth Power Station draft Masterplan. Following community consultation feedback will be utilised to develop the final built form framework for the site.

The design principles outlined above can be applied to both built form Options One (Urban Gateway Model) and Two (Urban Garden Model) except for scale and height and built form variety provisions.

The built form philosophy for Option Two is predominantly five to six storeys at the street edge rising to some eight-storey buildings adjacent to the freeway. Option One differs by promoting three to four storeys at the street level rising to six to 12 storeys in selected locations and a single 16-storey building.

The street and open space structure is the same for Options One and Two and the building footprints are largely the same, ensuring the desired public-private interface and street environment character remains constant.

Option 1 – Urban Gateway Model

Option One - Urban Gateway Model

Click here to open the Option One Longitudinal section looking through the Power Station to the proposed Summers Street Bridge.

For Urban Gateway Option One, the recommended scale and height is:

• Buildings throughout the precinct should be between three and four storeys at the street edge with some possible extension to five storeys.
• Buildings above six storeys should have a maximum of six dwellings per floor.
• Upper floors between five and eight storeys must be set back at least five metres from the lower façade at the street edge.
• Setbacks become more critical with taller buildings. An appropriately designed eight-storey building may still feel comfortable to pedestrians and requires some flexibility with upper floor height setbacks.
• Buildings nine storeys and above must be set back at least 10 metres from the street edge façade. Buildings of this height may be appropriate adjacent to the Freeway and East Parade where their scale is in keeping with the expanse and pace of the traffic environment, overshadowing is minimized and high value views are afforded.
• Buildings located at corners should serve as gateways distinguishable from the rest of the buildings and should be allowed greater flexibility as long as design elements reinforce the corner location and are pedestrian-friendly. Above five storeys from the corner, buildings should comply with upper level setbacks.

Option 2 – Urban Garden Model

Option Two - Urban Garden Model

Click here to open the Option Two Longitudinal section looking through the Power Station to the proposed Summers Street Bridge.

For Urban Garden Option Two, the recommended scale and height is:

• Buildings along Summers Street and the southern side of the Summers Street bridge should be no greater than four storeys to provide compatibility with the adjacent neighbourhood and minimise overshadowing of open spaces.
• Elsewhere, buildings should be five and six storeys at the street edge with the fifth and sixth storeys setback at least five metres.
• Buildings up to eight storeys may be appropriate in selected locations adjacent to the Freeway to respond to the scale of the environment and take advantage of the river and city views.
• On taller buildings, visual interest along the façade should be maintained through the use of balconies, colour and material changes, varying roof lines and accentuation of building corners.