Dumas House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dumas House |
|
|---|---|
Dumas House
|
|
| General information | |
| Type | Government office |
| Location | Perth, Western Australia |
| Coordinates | 31°57′12″S 115°50′38″E / 31.9532°S 115.8440°E |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 8 August 2000 |
| Reference no. | 3849 |
Dumas House is a large, fourteen-storey office building in Perth, Western Australia. It was built in the 1960s and is located near St Georges Terrace, Kings Park, and Parliament House. It serves as a workplace for many people who work for the Western Australian government.
Contents
Why Dumas House Was Built
Dumas House was part of a big plan from 1955. The idea was to bring all the Western Australian government offices together. They wanted them to be close to Parliament House. This plan was based on a special report called the Stephenson-Hepburn Report.
Before this, there had been similar ideas since the late 1920s. But after World War II, the state didn't have enough money or resources. So, those earlier plans couldn't happen.
Designing the Building
Architects from the Public Works Department designed Dumas House. G. Finn, E. Van Mens, and P. Maidment won a national competition for their design. Their plan was for five office buildings. However, Dumas House, finished in 1965, was the only one ever built on the site.
Opening Day
The building was first called "Government Building." Premier David Brand officially opened it on March 4, 1966. In his speech, Brand said the building was important for the state. He saw it as a sign of great progress for Western Australia. He believed the 1960s would be remembered as a key time in the state's history.
Changes to the Plan
In 1968, the government decided not to build the other four offices. There were two main reasons for this change. First, Dumas House alone caused a lot of traffic. Building five offices would have made traffic unbearable. Second, politicians worried that too many large government buildings in one spot would make the government seem too powerful. They didn't want it to look like a "big brother" was watching everyone.
Who Was Dumas House Named After?
The building was renamed "Dumas House" in February 1978. It was named to honor Russell Dumas. He was a very important person in the Public Works Department. He served as the Director of Works and Buildings from 1941 to 1953.
Building Style and Features
Dumas House is an example of the post-war International Style of architecture. This style is known for its simple, clean look. It often uses a grid pattern and large glass panels.
Architectural Details
The building has a "modular grid" plan. This means it's designed with repeating sections, like a grid. It also features "glazed panelling," which are large glass panels. An "open piazza" is a public open space, like a plaza, usually found at the front of the building.
The International Style was changed a bit for Australia's sunny weather. Horizontal slabs stick out from the sides of the building. These help to provide shade and keep the building cooler.
Construction Cost and Ownership
Building Dumas House, including all its inside parts, cost about $4.9 million. Today, the building is owned by the Department of Housing and Works. This is a part of the Government of Western Australia.
Recent Updates
In 1985, people started to think about asbestos in the building. Asbestos was a material sometimes used in older buildings. It can be harmful if not handled safely.
The inside of Dumas House was fully updated in 2012. Then, from 2015 to 2018, the outside of the building (the "façade") was also restored. These updates help keep the building safe and modern.
A weather radar used to be located on the roof of Dumas House. This radar helped track weather patterns in Perth.
