Hunt opens new design HQ at iconic heritage building in Perth CBD

Hunt Architects has opened their new design studio in Perth’s iconic 1930s Commonwealth Bank Building, located in the busy city-centre retail and tourism precinct of Forrest Place.

After more than 50 years in West Perth, Hunt’s choice of the bustling, people-centric location for their new studio is a sign of things to come from the multi award-winning firm, according to director and managing principal Mark Young. 

“It’s a bold move that not only celebrates architectural stories of the past, but it also symbolises our evolution into an expanding, contemporary design practice nurturing young, up-and-coming talent,” Young says.

Set over 450sqm of artfully renovated space on the third floor of the Commonwealth Bank Building, Hunt’s new design studio is a few doors down from the Perth Underground Train Station, lists some of the top names in fashion and beauty among its neighbours, and has popular bars and eateries on its doorstep.

“It was a deliberate decision to shy away from another traditional corporate location, placing ourselves bang in the middle of the city-centre hustle and bustle,” Young says.

“It’s a reflection of how the Hunt brand has evolved over the years, and more importantly where it is heading in the future with our renewed design-led focus on creating contemporary, effective and inspirational buildings.

“Our vision for Hunt is that it will become an incubator for young, exciting design talent, with contemporary thinking and innovation blending with the design excellence and experience of the senior team.”

The interiors, designed in-house, celebrate the Commonwealth Bank Building’s heritage while introducing a bold, contemporary aesthetic. The design retains the original jarrah parquetry flooring as a nod to the building’s past glories and art deco splendour.

“Celebrating the character of the space, the black ceilings enhance the rhythm of column capitals, while the meeting spaces are gathered in the centre of the floor plate and read as glass boxes carefully detailed to lightly sit between the columns,” Young says.

“The studio has been designed to encourage maximum collaboration, with the monochromatic meeting rooms serving as visual focal points in bold colour.”

The Hunt project team worked closely with the Noongar Boodjar Language Cultural Aboriginal Corporation to name the studio’s new collaboration and focus rooms Boodjar (Country), Bilya (River), Marlak (Bush) and Bidi (Path).

The Hunt story dates back to 1970 when Peter Hunt established Peter Hunt Architects, the vision behind Perth landmarks such as the Bendat Basketball Centre, Beatty Park Aquatic Centre, HBF Stadium and the WA Police Academy.

The Hunt Prize, an evolution of the original Peter Hunt Travel Prize, continues to be an important part of Hunt’s plan to foster young talent, with many recipients having been offered positions at the firm.

Hunt’s wide portfolio of projects encompasses the commercial, recreation and sport, mining, government and justice sectors, with 32 staff across their Perth, Melbourne and Sydney design studios.