Local Government
Perth
Region
Metropolitan
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.
Location
100 Plain St East Perth
Location Details
Cnr Plain & Hay Sts
Construction Date
Constructed from 1952 to 1985
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | Adopted | 18 Jan 2019 | ||
| Heritage Agreement | YES | 28 Sep 2022 |
Text of the Heritage Agreement |
Heritage Council |
| State Register | Registered | 18 Jan 2019 |
Register Entry Assessment Documentation |
Heritage Council |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Completed\Draft | 13 Mar 2001 | Category 2 |
Category 2 |
|
| Local Heritage Survey | Completed\Draft | Category 1 |
Category 1 |
||
| Perth Draft Inventory 99-01 | YES | 31 Dec 1999 |
|
Heritage Council | |
Statement of Significance
The Materials Science Building is rare in Western Australia for its design, which strongly emulates the international architectural style developed by Dutch architect W.M. Dudock, especially in its external form, massing and detail.
The place was the principal technical centre of the Government Chemical Laboratories (and its successive reorganisations) from 1942 to 2009, and through its scientific work contributed to the development of Western Australia’s mineral & petroleum resources and agriculture in the post-World War Two era, demonstrating the value of chemical analysis to successive State Governments in the post-World War Two era.
The Materials Science Building is a good representative example of the early influence Modern Movement in State public works under the direction of Principal Architect A.E. (Paddy) Clare.
The place’s laboratories and apparatus demonstrate facilities available in the Western Australian Government Chemical Laboratories (and its successive reorganisations) between 1942 and 2009.
Physical Description
Face brick building with tall brick chimney and iron roof, which is partially obscured. Prismatic form with mostly uninterrupted surfaces. Small horizontal window band in lower half of the external wall. The building has similarities to those of Dudok and to Summerhayes’ Civil Hotel.
History
The Government Chemical Laboratory was designed by the Public Works Department of WA in 1940. The building replaced the previous facility in Wellington Street which had become unsuitable. The new site in Hay Street was already owned by the State Government and was chosen due to the lack of vibration in the ground which was an issue at the former location. Construction began in 1940 and the building was operational in 1942. It was officially opened in 1944. The building was extended in 1947 to accommodate all the additional functions and staff. A new laboratory building was constructed on the site in 1952. The laboratory was used to test physical and chemical samples for State Government departments. These included Department of Mines, Agriculture and for the police. In 2009 the functions of the building were transferred to a new facility at Curtin University in Bentley.
Integrity/Authenticity
Low level of integrity
Medium level of authenticity.
Condition
Fair
Associations
| Name | Type | Year From | Year To |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.E. (Paddy) Clare | Architect | - | - |
References
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draft Municipal Heritage Inventory | City of Perth | 2001 | |
| Central Perth Heritage Inventory | MRA | March 2016 | |
| Register of Heritage Places Chemistry Centre (fmr), East Perth | 2019 |
Other Keywords
Local Heritage List - Normalisation effective from 6 May 2022 upon the gazettal of City Planning Scheme No. 2 Amendment No. 46 and Local Planning Scheme No. 26 (Normalised Redevelopment Areas) Amendment No. 4 (refer to Council Ordinary Meeting held on 31 August 2021)
State Heritage Office library entries
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12142 | Chemistry Centre Western Australia | Heritage Study {Other} | 2002 |
| 9693 | Chemistry centre, Perth: conservation plan. | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2010 |
| 10286 | DRAFT: Chemistry Centre East Perth | Archival Record | 2011 |
| 9722 | Chemlabs design guidelines. | Report | 2010 |
| 9708 | Chemistry centre, Perth | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2011 |
Place Type
Individual Building or Group
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | SCIENTIFIC | Laboratory or Research Station |
| Present Use | SCIENTIFIC | Laboratory or Research Station |
Architectural Styles
| Style |
|---|
| Inter-War Stripped Classical |
| Inter-War Functionalist |
Construction Materials
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | TILE | Terracotta Tile |
| Wall | BRICK | Face Brick |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Institutions |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Resource exploitation & depletion |
| DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Technology & technological change |
Creation Date
04 May 1999Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
22 Jul 2024Disclaimer
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.