04 Nov Perth Lockup, East Perth: The Old Police Headquarters Built From Concrete Screens

Walk Past WA No. 2 · Concrete grid and curved tower, Hay Street, East Perth

Look closely at the walls. Hundreds of repeating concrete screen blocks turn the former Perth Lockup into something close to sculpture.

WA Police under one roof

Built in the 1960s, this was the first purpose-built headquarters for WA Police, bringing every major branch of the force under one roof for the first time.

A rare curved tower

It was designed by the Architectural Division of the WA Public Works Department. The curved tower is a rare surviving example of Late Twentieth-Century International Style in Perth, thought to be the only multi-storey office building of its curved form built here in that era.

The next chapter

For decades it marked the eastern gateway into the city. Today the Perth Lockup is proposed to become the WA Police Museum, giving the building’s next chapter as much character as its first.

Have you noticed these screen blocks on your way into the city?

Walk Past WA is a weekly series on the Western Australian buildings most of us walk past without noticing. One building each week, photographed by architect and photographer Boris Poznovia. This is No. 2.

Need your own building photographed the way it was designed to be seen? See my architectural photography services or get in touch about your project.

Follow the series on Instagram at @architecturephotography_wa.