Motor House, Perth

Statement of Significance

The place is a fine representative example of an early Moderne style building (also described as Inter-War Functionalist).
The place has characteristic Art Deco stylistic elements and is a competent design interpretation that represents an important stage in the development of modern architecture in Western Australia.
The place has landmark qualities and prominence in the city streetscape due to its simple geometric shapes and prominent rounded corners that proclaim its modernity, together with the space around it.
The place represents a key stage in the development of modern architectural history in Western Australia and reflects the establishment of facilities for the advent of motor vehicles in the city of Perth.
Its prominent position fronting the major intersection of Milligan Street and Wellington Street marks it significant place in the historical development of the central business district perimeter and the provision of facilities for the housing, servicing and maintenance of the motor vehicles of the city business people.
The place was the first multi-story structure in Western Australia to be designed and constructed specifically to service the motor car. The place demonstrates a degree of structural engineering innovation and achievement. It was a novel development in the city at the time and incorporated what was then the largest clear span roof in the State.
The place is a unique and rare distinctive example of a 1930s building designed in the modern style and was the first and only multi-level car parking facility in Western Australia.
The place is unusual, being different in style to other buildings sin the City of Perth and represents the only example of a metropolitan CBD structure design by this collaboration of well-known architects.
The place is one of only a few Moderne buildings still standing.

Physical Description

The building was built entirely out of fire-resistant materials, with brick walls, steel and concrete floors finished with a granolithic surface, corrugated asbestos roof sheeting and steel window frame. The building was surfaced externally with white cement and white sand, and incised to give a stonework effect. The only woodwork in the building was in the fittings and smaller doorways.
The place features symmetrical massing, simple geometric shapes, continuous ribbon metal framed windows, rendered wall surfaces, prominent rounded corners and the roof structure is concealed by a parapet.
The site slopes quite steeply northward down towards Wellington Street, allowing a lower floor with entrance for vehicles at that level. There are three levels in all with the mid-level floor having access directly from Milligan Street. From there the original upper floor vehicle access was by short carefully graded ramps each side of the building at the apex of the triangle.
A feature of the building structure was the absence of internal supporting pillars on the upper floor where the roof trusses reached from wall to wall over a span of approximately 104 feet (914 meters), which was at that time one of the largest roof spans in the State. The roof above this structure is of the ‘saw tooth type’ hidden behind a deco stepped parapet.
A prominent feature of the building was a large Art Deco electric clock that projects above the south facing parapet and was visible from Hay Street. The clock has now been replaced with a large advertisement hoarding.
The external walls have recessed bands which originally linked the fenestration to give the effect of ribbon windows, emphasising the horizontal elements of the building. These windows have now been deepened, so that the recessed bands no longer coincide with the sills. The exterior of the building is currently painted cream with blue and red bands that further empahasise the horizontal emphasis of the design.

Internal
The service station originally incorporated into the Southern apex of the triangular site, could be approached by car through different entrances at the mid-level, thus avoiding congestion. All levels were fully trafficable. The office and showroom were located behind the service station. These entrances and the service station are now replaced with a reception lobby behind modern plate glass doors forming the main entrance and which is approached by semi-circular steps. This lobby provides access to the open plan offices on the first and second floors. The original three large openings at street level on the Wellington Street façade continue to provide direct access into the lower floor of the building by motor car.

History

Originally built as a garage, service station and engineering workshop for Messers Courthope and Olifent, the place was the first multi-level car park built in Western Australia. The site was previously occupied by St John’s Church, which was demolished under protest in order to construct Motor House. Much of the furniture and fittings from the church were incorporated into the 1930s Church of St. Peter, Victoria Park.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium level of integrity.
High level of authenticity. Due to the quality of the original design and construction the building refurbishments have not involved any major reconstruction or alteration (other than internal office fit-outs which have retained the original space).
Whilst the building has been renovated internally to provide office accommodation, there is still vehicle parking on the lower level and the building is superficially as constructed.
Externally the place is almost original condition except for the colour scheme, window modifications, and removal of the clock. Although altered internally it retains the original structural form.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.