Local Government
Perth
Region
Metropolitan
2 Havelock St West Perth
Government Office Building
Public Offices Building
Perth
Metropolitan
Constructed from 1963
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | Adopted | 09 Jan 2004 | |
| Heritage List | Adopted | 08 Aug 2000 | |
| State Register | Registered | 08 Aug 2000 | HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 11 Jun 2001 | ||
| Perth Draft Inventory 99-01 | YES | 31 Dec 1999 | ||
| Local Heritage Survey | Completed\Draft | Category 1 | ||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 13 Mar 2001 | Category 1 | |
| Local Heritage Survey | Adopted | 28 Mar 2023 | Category 1 | |
The place has aesthetic significance as an example of the Post-War International style of architecture detailing from the 1960's. The place has considerable landmark value and contributes to the Perth community’s sense of place. The tall building is located on a prominent, elevated site, is clearly visible from many points around the city and wider metropolitan area. Its location at the western edge of the urban skyline enhances the landmark value of the place. Significant as a rare example of the Post-War International style. Social Significance for associations with the public service of the WA State Government. The place was designed by architects Finn, Van Mens and Maidment who won a national competition for the development of the site, having already established a body of work as project architects of the Public Works Department of Western Australia. The place has been associated with the State Government of Western Australia since its construction in 1966, providing office accommodation for Government departments and Ministers.
A thirteen storey free-standing curtain wall building. Reinforced concrete floors project beyond the window wall as horizontal hoods. Exposed black granite faced columns penetrate these hoods. Building complemented by open landscaped areas.
The design of this building was the winner of the Australia - wide" Public Offices Building Competition" in 1961. Five buildings were originally designed to create a government complex but only one constructed. At the time of construction Dumas House was seen as a symbol of the growth and prosperity of Western Australia. Planning of the site rose out of the 1955 Stephenson Hepburn Report and the place was the first of five multi storied buildings planned for the site. The remaining four were not built as Parliamentarians felt the other buildings would appear to dominate the landscape and traffic around the site was a problem. In 1978 Dumas House was named after Sir Russell Dumas, who was Director of Works and Buildings, Public Works Department from 1941 to 1953.The building has been the location for numerous State government departments and ministerial offices form the 1960's to the present.
Medium level of integrity. Medium level of authenticity.
Good
| Name | Type | Year From | Year To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van Mens & Maidment | Architect | - | - |
| Civil & Civic Pty Ltd | Architect | - | - |
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 'The Architect' | 1963 June |
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5136 | A proposal for the re-development of grounds surrounding Dumas House, West Perth / Honi M. Adolphson. | Report | 2001 |
| 7887 | Images CD No. 44: [ Dumas House photographic record ]. | C D Rom | 2005 |
| 9389 | Dumas House West Perth | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2009 |
| 8441 | Dumas House, 2 Havelock Street, Perth, WA: historical summary & photographic record. | Archival Record | 2007 |
| 10198 | G.W.Finn: architectural photographs and projects | Book | 1995 |
| 5455 | Development application report proposed AAPT Telecommunications Facility : Dumas House, 2 (Lot 822) Havelock Street, West Perth. | Report | 2000 |
| 6653 | Western Gateway : draft concept plan report. | Report | 1995 |
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | GOVERNMENTAL | Office or Administration Bldg |
| Present Use | GOVERNMENTAL | Office or Administration Bldg |
| Style |
|---|
| Post-War International |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Other | METAL | Steel |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Government & politics |
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