St Patrick’s Cathedral

Spread over 1.25ha, the Cathedral Precinct was originally identified as a future site to provide a church for the growing Bunbury parish in the early 1900’s

The foundation stone of St Patrick’s was laid in 1919. Its doors were opened to the local community just two years later. Some of the older parishioners still recall how local limestone rocks were carried up from the beach on bullock trains, and how, as children, they carried bricks, two at a time, for the exterior works. Others speak of stories they heard from their parents and grandparents about their part in building the Cathedral. Other Bunbury residents again, as well as people from other South West areas, recall watching the Cathedral being built.

Originally St Patrick’s was not a cathedral, but a parish church. However, in 1954 it was proclaimed a cathedral by Pope Pius XII when he established the Catholic Diocese of Bunbury.

On 16 May 2005, a tornado tore through Bunbury, devastating the city and shifting the Cathedral on its foundations resulting in its demolition.

The New St Patrick’s Cathedral was built over a 5 year period, and was dedicated on 17th March 2011 by Bishop Gerard Holohan, the fourth Bishop of Bunbury.

According to the very earliest surviving work on architecture, Vitruvius’ De architectura, good buildings satisfy three core principles: Firmness, Commodity, and Delight. Architecture can be seen as the balancing of these three elements, with none overpowering the others.

elevation of cathedral. According to the very earliest surviving work on architecture, Vitruvius’ De architectura, good buildings satisfy three core principles: Firmness, Commodity, and Delight. Architecture can be seen as the balancing of these three elements, with none overpowering the others.

Whilst coordinating these essential elements, Cathedral architects of every age have endeavoured to interpret and to express the presence and importance of God. Through the ages, Cathedrals have been in the vanguard of new architecture styles, using the most advanced materials and the most innovative construction methods available.

The rebuilding of the Cathedral precinct will extend this tradition, while utilising many familiar references from Catholic art and architecture from the earliest times.

To achieve this, and meet the expressed wishes of the community, the rebuilding of the Cathedral precinct required an architect with a proven and outstanding track record, but with more than just simply technical skills. According to Vitruvius: “Architecture is a science, arising out of many other sciences, and adorned with much and varied learning: by the help of which a judgement is formed of those works which are the result of other arts.” Simply put, our architect needs a philosophy, a perspective and an appreciation, for life, the universe and everything.

Our requirements were specific and exacting. The successful architect would need:
Extensive experience with buildings of this scale;

To be recognised for work across Australia and overseas;
To have earned multiple awards for his work, and earned the respect and recognition of his peers;
To have a proven record of keeping within budget;
To have a reputation for being easy to work with, and concerned with meeting clients’ requirements; and
To have the desire to personally design and supervise the rebuilding from beginning to end.
Most significantly, in light of the findings of our community consultation programs, the architect would need demonstrated expertise in the area of traditional church buildings, together with proven mastery of modern techniques.

As the selection criteria became more defined through ongoing community consultations, as well as expert advice from those with experience in cathedral building, it became clear that an ‘iconic’ architect was needed. The architect would need not only to be creative, highly skilled and well accomplished, but also someone who would consider it an honour to join the select and highly credited few in the world who have designed a cathedral. We were looking for someone who would understand and appreciate the significance of this once in a lifetime opportunity.

After a long and meticulous search, the award winning architect Marcus Collins B Arch (UWA), FRAIA was commissioned to plan and design the new Cathedral precinct, including the building of a new cathedral. He has widely recognised skills and an impressive list of major works to his credit.

Marcus is an iconic architect with both national and international experience. He is well regarded by his peers and previous clients.

His brief, developed from the community consultation, includes designing a Cathedral that;

Will last at least 300 years;
Is built on the same prominent location as the old St Patrick’s Cathedral;
Is an iconic building with the lines of a traditional Cathedral, yet has a modern interior;
Includes a parish centre, youth centre, heritage centre and meeting rooms;
Has appropriate parking;
Will draw people to a sense of community;
Will be a tourist attraction.
“Build us a new one, Bunbury says”
The Record, Thursday July 14, 2005.

The Project Team

A project of this size and complexity requires the engagement of a highly experienced team of professional consultants and engineers who are experts in their field.

Following independent research and a thorough tender process, a team of consultants and engineers with extensive experience on large projects of this type has been brought together to with Marcus Collins Architect on rebuilding the Cathedral Precinct.

We wish to acknowledge our project team:

Architect: Marcus Collins Architect
Marcus Collins Architect is an iconic multi award winning architect with demonstrated expertise in the area of traditional church buildings, and mastery of modern techniques. He is best known for his work in designing the University of Notre Dame University campus in Fremantle and Sydney.

Structural Engineers: GHD Pty Ltd
GHD is an international engineering firm consulting across a wide range of engineering disciplines. Past projects include the Perth to Mandurah railway line, Sydney Opera House and responding to the Asian Tsunami.

Quantity Surveyors: Wilde & Woollard Pty Ltd
Wilde and Woollard is one of the most respected Western Australian Quantity Surveying firms. Past projects include St Benedict’s Church Applecross, and is also the Quantity Surveyors for St Mary’s Cathedral Perth

Electrical Engineers: Engineering Technology Consultants (ETC) Pty Ltd
ETC is a leader in the area of electrical engineering, lighting design, electrical services infrastructure and electronic security design. Past projects include Perth Convention Centre, St Georges Cathedral Perth, St John of God Hospital Bunbury and Notre Dame University Fremantle. ETC is also the Electrical Engineers for the restoration of St Mary’s Cathedral Perth

Geotechnical Engineers: Golder Associates Pty Ltd
Golder Associates is a global engineering firms specialising in ground engineering services. It has over 130 offices in 22 countries throughout the world.

Hydraulic Engineers: Hydraulics Design Australia
Hydraulics Design Australia is a leader in hydraulic service design and infrastructure planning. Past projects include the Bunbury Forum Shopping Centre, Old Swan Brewery Perth and Voyager Estate Winery Margaret River.

Mechanical Engineers: Lincolne Scott Consulting Engineers
Lincolne Scott is one of Australia’s leading engineering consultancy in the design and operation of building technology. Its projects include St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne, Institute of Child Research Perth, Docklands Stadium Melbourne and the Ritz Carlton Hotel Bangkok

Acoustic Engineers: Gabriels Environmental Design Pty Ltd
Gabriels Environmental Design are one of the most respected acoustic consultancies having been involved with the designed some of Western Australia’s major churches and auditoriums, including acoustics consultants for the restoration of St Mary Cathedral Perth.

Consulting Surveyor: BSO Development Consultants
BSO Development Consultants is a leader in the Land Development Industry within the SOUTH WEST providing Land Surveying and Project Management advice. Projects include Cambridge Estate, Ambergate Heights and Brookfield Estate.

Consulting Town Planners: Thompson McRobert Edgeloe (TME)
TME is a local land planning, development and engineering consultancy. Projects include Dalyellup Beach, College Grove and the Bunbury Port.

Construction Manager: Perkins Builders
Perkins Builders is one of the largest construction companies based in the South West of Western Australia. Locally owned and operated the company has built a reputation for being at the forefront of construction project delivery. Projects include the South West Sport Centre, Manea College, Dalyellup College and Smiths Beach Resort.