Karratha’s EPiCentre wins Commercial WA Architecture Award

The new Empowering People in Communities hub in Karratha has won the Commercial WA Architecture Award for 2021. Designed by Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects, the EPiCentre features an ‘L’ shape layout on the intersection of Balmoral Road and Karratha Terrace. It provides offices, training rooms, meeting spaces and a social hub for people living with intellectual disabilities. EPIC chief executive Stephanie Soter said they were very excited to have won the award. “(The award) is reflective of the innovation and thinking that we had for the space,” she said. Ms Soter said there are several aspects of the building that stood out from the rest of the nominees, including the use of bright colours, the shape of the space and the landscape. “The way it’s an urban design but it still has a Pilbara feel to it as well,” she said. “I liked the way he was very receptive and he was very good at communicating through the design.” City of Karratha Mayor Peter Long said they were delighted to see EPIC win such a prestigious award. “We are so pleased for Steph Soter, her board and staff who all worked extremely hard to get this building off the ground,” he said. “For a not-for-profit entity to be able to fund and design such a building is impressive and for it to be an award-winning design is even better.”