Details of Homeswest contest for architects

17/5/94

Housing Minister Kevin Prince today announced details of a competition which will see a Fremantle car park turned into innovative housing for single people.

Architects are being invited to transform a sloping car park on Homeswest land next to a Homeswest complex at Coram Court, Knutsford Street, into six one-bedroom units.

The competition - 'New Directions for Fremantle Housing' - is to encourage architects to build creative and innovative housing with an eye fixed firmly on cost.

Mr Prince said it would be an ideal opportunity for architects to show they could build imaginative public housing on a budget.

"A competition such as this demonstrates that Homeswest supports alternative housing which offers its tenants functional yet aesthetically pleasing homes," he said.

"In general, public housing has to be inexpensive - certainly under the Coalition Government, which is committed to keeping a tight rein on the purse strings. 

"But that does not mean it also has to be boring, boxy and uninspiring - it can be built at a good price, and still be exciting."

The Minister said there were many examples of Homeswest homes, units and complexes which were the equal of private sector projects but which had cost less to build.

"In the last few years the private rental market - for the first time - has faced a challenge from Homeswest in terms of innovative design," he said.

"With competitions like this one in Fremantle, Homeswest is providing a lead to the private sector by showing that good, functional and extremely livable accommodation can be built for the rental market.

"I hope to see private sector investors follow that lead by providing accommodation for those tenants - particularly single people - who do not qualify for a Homeswest home."

Mr Prince said the competition called for six one-bedroom units to be built for less than $356,000 on a site he described as a "challenging terraced site which would showcase architects' talents and which would also demonstrate that previously wasted land could be put to good use".

The winner will receive $8,000 from the sponsor, CSR Building Products Group of Companies.  Second prize-getter will receive $1,500 and third $1,000, also from CSR.

The competition closes on June 14.  Documents are available from the Western Australian Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.

The winners will be announced during Architecture Week which runs from July 1 to July 10.

Media contact:  Tony Barker-May 325 4133