Plans for the East to become a jewel in the West
Central Institute of Technology Interior Design students have created some visionary plans for the City of Perth, to transform Perth’s Chinatown district into a vibrant, 24 hour, social and commercial space.
The ideas were presented to the City of Perth Mayor Lisa Scaffidi at a special lunchtime event on 14 June in Northbridge.
The brief provided by the City of Perth was for students to submit designs for three locations in the Chinatown area:
38 Roe Street, 87 James Street and Chinatown.
The students were invited to present proposals that would revitalise the area. Submissions needed to create both a welcoming destination and a commercially viable venture.
The vision is to create a family friendly, 24 hour, inviting space that boosts Chinatown, offers tourist increased options and new opportunities for local businesses.
The resultant designs highlighted an improvement of amenity and street level interface, which in turn would create a more welcoming urban space for users.
Changing the perception of how buildings function was one of the aims, especially with regard to making them 24-hour facilities with different uses for different periods of the day.
The event was the latest milestone in the ongoing expansion of culture, nightlife, business and the arts in the City of Perth.
Mayor Lisa Scaffidi spoke about the City of Perth's vision for the area and was inspired by the diverse and detailed plans submitted for discussion.
"The proposals illustrate innovative ways this often overlooked district can be changed to one that boosts local business and draws in locals and tourists alike", she said.
"They include creative use of elements such as landscaping, signage and way finding, coupled with dual roles for venues that really maximise the 'round the clock' aspect."
The event received considerable media coverage. Design Lecturer Kyri Tombouloglou was invited to discuss the student's ideas on ABC radio.