Fremantle Ports
The port of Fremantle in Western Australia has a rich and diverse history that reflects the social, economic, and cultural development of the state. The port was established in 1897 as the first sheltered harbour in Western Australia, designed by the visionary engineer C.Y. O’Connor. The port facilitated trade, migration, and communication for the growing colony, and played a significant role in wartime and peacetime activities. The port also boasts a variety of architectural styles that showcase the evolution of the port and its functions over time.
The Fremantle Port Building shown here is a landmark structure that stands on the Victoria Quay, overlooking the Fremantle Inner Harbour. It is the headquarters of the Fremantle Ports, the organisation that manages the port facilities and operations in Western Australia. The building itself is notable for its artistic features and innovations. The foyer has a parquet floor made of local jarrah and wandoo timbers, inset with brass. It also has a mosaic mural by Howard Taylor, one of Australia's most significant artists of the 20th century. The mural depicts the history and activities of the port, from the Aboriginal people who inhabited the area, to the arrival of the European settlers, to the modern ships and cranes. The ground floor roof is a folded roof pattern of pre-stressed concrete units, which was the first of its kind in Australia. The building also has a sophisticated air-conditioning system that uses seawater for cooling.
