Modernism in WA (MODWA) 2026
From Humanitix · Last checked 13 Nov. That's our last look, not a live ticket check.
Event details may change. Confirm times, availability and prices with the organiser before attending.
The lowdown
Discover our Modernist Heritage! Two days of events celebrating modernism in WA and the challenges of preserving its architectural legacy. Organized by the Art Deco and Modernist Society of Western Australia, MODWA 2026 kicks off on Saturday 21 November 2026, with a program of walking tours in which you will discover our remarkable modernist heritage in precincts and places. In the afternoon join us at the Fox Lecture Theater at UWA for a short program of talks that explain modernism, planning issues connected with its preservation and case studies in the impact of international trends on modernism in WA. Tours will explore the best Perth examples of brutalist and post war international modernism and art deco architecture. Tours are a free add-on to your MODWA 2026 registration. To facilitate movement between place clusters on Day 1 of the tour program, a bus has been chartered that departs the main entrance of the University Club of Western Australia at 9:00AM. The following map shows the pick up location:
Please bring water, snacks and sun screen! Want more modernism? Join members of the Art Deco and Modernist Society for dinner at the UWA Club beginning 6:00PM in the evening of Saturday, 21 November 2026. You can register for the dinner at:- https://events.humanitix.com/annual-dinner-6qcac33h MODWA 2026 is a not for profit event. There is a small fee to cover the costs of room and equipment hire. Free places are available to students. Your ticket covers as many walking tours as you like and the afternoon learning program at UWA on Saturday, 21 November 2026. The dinner is extra and requires a dinner ticket, available via the link above. Hurray. Dinner registrations close COB Friday 13 November.
Walking Tours Day 1- Saturday, 21 November 9:00-12:00
9:00– 10:30 From Brutalism to International Modernism (East Perth). Meet at the East Perth Rail Terminal 116 West Parade, Perth 6000
EP1- East Perth Rail Terminal,
EP2-East Perth Power Station
EP3- Perth Girls School
10:30-12:00 International Modernism (City Cluster) (Adelaide Tce)
CC1- ABC and Basil Kirke Studios
CC2-Perth Concert Hall
CC3- Council House
CC4- Duxton Hotel (Fmr Commonwealth Taxation Building)
Talks - About Modernism: Learning and Challenges 13:00 to 16:00 Venue: Fox Lecture Theater (UWA)
What is modernism? How did it emerge from Art Deco and other stylistic genres of architecture? After lunch we change gears and settle into the Fox Lecture Theater at UWA to learn more about modernism and protecting its architectural legacy. Modernism advocate, author and urban designer Warren Andersen will kick off the learning program with a short presentation describing the journey from Art Deco to Brutalism and challenges in preserving our Modernist Legacy. His presentation will examine four themes: the evolution from Art Deco to Brutalism; what we stand to lose as significant buildings disappear before their cultural value is properly understood; the current state of legislation, incentives and public perception; and the urgent need to change the conversation around architectural heritage. Warren will consider design, cultural and international significance while exploring new opportunities to engage Millennials, Gen Z and future generations through contemporary communication and digital platforms.
13:00-13:45 Modernism in WA – From Art Deco to Brutalism: Heritage challenges Presenter: Warren Andersen, Urban designer 13:45-14:30 Monoculture in refurbishment: Re-purposing and the opportunity cost of inferior solutions Presenter: Philip McAllister, President, ADMSWA 14:30-15:15 Planning: How can density and heritage co-exist? Presenter: Malcolm MacKay, Urban Designer
15:15-16:00 Discussion Panel Chair: TBC
Day 2-Walking Tours Sunday, 22 November 10:00-17:30
10:00-12:30 Post war and Mid Century International Style (West Perth Cluster)
WP1- Dumas House 2 Havelock Street West PerthWP2- Mount Eliza Apartments (aka the Thermo Flask Building) 71 Mount Street West Perth WP3- Sunny Meed 65 Mount Street, West Perth 13:00-15:30 Celebrating modernism in residential and community architecture (Floreat City Beach Cluster)
TBA
16:00-17:30 Celebrating Art Deco (Applecross & South Perth Cluster)
ASP1- Como Theatre
ASP2-Tivoli Theatre
ASP3-Raffles Hotel
Where to rock up
Fox Lecture Theatre (Afternoon Saturday 21 November). For other locations see the Program below., Nedlands WA 6009, Australia, Perth
Getting there
To facilitate movement between place clusters on Day 1 of the tour program, a bus has been chartered that departs the main entrance of the University Club of Western Australia at 9:00AM.
