From the Team

Cautious Optimism within WA Building Industry as Boom Continues

TEAM page

he overall global situation with COVID-19 is still never far from most people’s minds, but Western Australia’s buoyant housing and con -T struction activity helps maintain a positive perspective close to home.

Builders, architects and colleagues in associated trades do generally prefer to be cautious and practical so talk of a building boom tends to be played down as much as possible. All are fully aware of the potential downsides, including supply system delays in the short term.

Nevertheless, as the diverse array of resiliently successful companies and projects featured in this latest issue shows, the current situation certainly augurs well for ongoing optimism.

Showcased on our cover is a picturesque boutique apartment complex that reflects the quintessential beauty and laidback charm of Scarborough’s coastal ambience; and this month we also talk to a couple in Mindarie who have fulfilled a long-time dream by building their first multiple housing project.

In the commercial sector, we look behind the scenes of a flagship fuel station and convenience store in Alkimos, as well as a warehouse project in Albany that has played a key role in incorporating both Indigenous cultural identity and workplace skills into Western Australia’s building industry. Meanwhile, reflecting the state’s more recent history (1850), heritage buildings in Fremantle have been given a new life as a boutique hotel, restaurant and bar.

Elsewhere, we admire the refurbishment of a 1970s showroom in Bayswater into a funky campus for international and domestic students; the staged redevelopment of a state-of-the-art hospital in Mandurah; the construction of a benchmark community house in Perth for specialist disability accommodation; and a fit-out and relocation commission for one of the largest private pathology laboratories in Western Australia.

As for private home projects, we check out a property in Dawesville that blends in harmoniously with its natural surroundings, a stunning bespoke design at North Beach, a City Beach residence that makes a highly attractive visual contribution to its neighbourhood, and a solarpassive and stylishly minimalist family property in Cottesloe. Another home in Bunbury was completed on time and to budget after having to run the COVID-19 gauntlet with a crucial and ultimately successful transport operation from Gympie (Queensland) to Bunbury.

All these magnificent construction and architectural works serve to highlight the cutting-edge contemporary lifestyle that Western Australia is renowned for – and which has been reflected in a new global ranking by the Economist Intelligence Unit of the best places to live in 2021.

This year’s “City Liveability Index” top-10 is dominated by Australia, with four cities included: Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane – and Perth, rising eight places over the past 12 months to sixth. The other six, headed by Auckland at number one, are Wellington, Osaka, Tokyo, Zurich and Geneva. After such a tumultuous, challenging and unprecedented 15 months, this prestigious recognition is richly deserved.

Peter Leonard The Builders Choice Team