The city of Perth, often described as the Mediterranean of the Southern Hemisphere, sees its vineyards thrive along the Swan Valley and Margaret River, under a warm and sunny climate. Its waterfront, once isolated from the urban heart, is now at the center of a renaissance where water, much like in historic Mediterranean cities, has once again become a central element.

The masterplan, designed by ARM Architects and Taylor Cullity Lethlean, re-establishes a vital connection between the city and its waterfront. The BHP Billiton Water Park is one of its flagship elements. For this project, our inspiration is drawn from the iconic landscapes of Western Australia, particularly the salt lakes—mineral and geometric expanses that, with the winter rains, transform into liquid mirrors. Water and salt create ephemeral patterns there, reflecting the deep blue of the sky. The curved and fluid bands of the fountain echo a virtual pattern generated by ARM, paying homage to the Aboriginal cosmogony of Southwestern Australia. In Noongar culture, the Wagyl—the Rainbow Serpent—is a creator being associated with water, symbolizing the sacred connection between water, land, and sky.