Chung Wah Association Hall

DAR Studio has worked closely with Chung Wah Association Inc. to carefully conserve and restore the historic Chung Wah Association Hall in Northbridge.

The iconic two-storey Federation Free Style building has played an important role in the cultural, social and educational life of the Chinese community in Western Australia since its opening in 1911.

Informed by an updated Conservation Management Plan, DAR Studio assisted the Association to apply for a State Heritage Grant in 2023, which has enabled a scope of conservation works to be undertaken during 2024.

The main concern was issues with failing brickwork, rectifying previous poor repairs and structural cracking thought to be caused by corroding steelwork embedded in the masonry.  To address these issues a scope of works was undertaken including:

  • Removal of corroded steel in high level parapet, installation of vertical stitching to secure masonry, and repairs to cracks.
  • Entire replacement of three west facing windows.
  • Repair of high level brickwork displacement of arched windows to upper level.
  • Glazing replacement to front windows.
  • Repairs to deteriorated bricks.
  • Removal of cement rich mortar and repointing with lime-based mortar mix based on testing of original mix ratio.
  • Repainting of front façade, including parapet and lettering, based on paint scrape investigation.
  • Graffiti removal.

Works on the front façade were completed in January 2025, just in time for Chinese New Year.

Interesting Fact: The building originally included two shops on the ground level with a large meeting hall on the first floor.  Later additions included classrooms, offices and other modern amenities.  The Chung Wah is the largest non-profit organisation and ethic organisation with the longest history in Western Australia.

Role: Update to Conservation Management Plan, heritage grant application, full architectural services.

Location: 128 James Street, Northbridge.

Completion: February 2025.

Client: Chung Wah Association Inc.

Contractor: Budo Group.

Structural Engineer: Keystone Structural.

Photographs: Dar Studio, Budo Group.