John Forrest National Park Redevelopment
In 2021 Gresley Abas won a design proposal EOI process to become the architect for the re-development of the public facilities in John Forrest National Park and the design of a new Park Centre.
The significant New Park Centre - including interpretation space, Public Cafe/Event spaces, and DBCA offices - will showcase the park’s heritage and culture in a contemporary facility that will complement the surrounding environment. The design will include environmentally sustainable, accessible and culturally appropriate spaces, with a strong emphasis on integrating the facilities into the natural surrounds.
The Interpretation space will be dedicated to John Forrest National Park, Western Australia’s other parks and reserves, and the Aboriginal culture of the park and the State. Interpretation will also be distributed through new and existing landscaped spaces. Current carparking is to be re-located and significantly enlarged. A new access point will limit the carparks visual impact and create a more considered, controlled access to the Park Centre via an iconic, universally accessible pedestrian walkway. The natural setting is enhanced and prioritised.
“John Forrest National Park is an iconic park less than an hour’s drive from central Perth and these upgrades and new facilities will give visitors even more reasons to visit and enjoy the park. Gresley Abas is a local architect firm with a wealth of experience in this type of innovative project.”
The design has been developed through intensive consultation with Traditional Owners and the DBCA. Proclaimed in 1900, John Forrest National Park was WA’s first national park and is one of Australia’s oldest conservation areas. This redevelopment will honour it’s rich history.
