The State Buildings occupy a group of interconnected, state-listed heritage buildings in the heart of Perth—structures that had been empty for more than two decades before their renewal. Their adaptive reuse has become a major catalyst for the precinct’s regeneration, demonstrating how heritage fabric can be reactivated to offer cultural, social and commercial value.
Petition, State Buildings
The Petition venues—Kitchen, Beer and Wine—sit at the ground level of the former Treasury Building, opening the site to the wider public and bringing everyday activity back into rooms that had long been closed.
The design approach was shaped by the scale and quiet elegance of the original interiors. Rather than concealing their age, we revealed it—stripping back surfaces, exposing fragments of previous uses, and allowing new insertions to sit confidently against the patina of the old. Robust materials and raw finishes distinguish the Petition spaces from the adjoining Postal Hall and Como Hotel, creating a more relaxed, contemporary counterpoint within the larger ensemble.
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Connectivity between the venues is strengthened through a series of targeted architectural moves: widening openings along the Barrack Street lobby, framing courtyard views with oversized steel windows, and introducing a muscular steel stair to link the ground floor to the basement courtyard. Together, these elements create a network of lively, welcoming spaces that celebrate both the history and the renewed energy of the State Buildings.
