WALyalup civic centre and library
Whadjuk Noongar Country | Fremantle WA
A design competition entry for the civic and cultural heart of Fremantle, WA.
The existing scale, built form, and urban plan of Fremantle can be likened to that of a courtyard house, with Walyalup Koort serving as the central urban courtyard for the city. Following the removal of the former council offices and library, this proposal re-engages the precinct across all four edges, drawing civic life back into the square through a monumental shade structure supported by substantial columns and beams reminiscent of the working port cranes along the Swan River.
By elevating the internal spaces for the new council offices, library, and retail outlets, the ground floor plane remains completely open, allowing public parkland, undulating lawns, and flexible open-air auditoriums to flow freely across the site. Elevated streets and vertical parklands at varying heights offer rich spatial experiences, transforming Walyalup Koort into a dynamic, day-and-night community hub for gathering, exchange, and civic celebration.
In collaboration with Studio Haptic.