Pilot Boathouse Exhibition on Wadjemup Rottnest Island
Reimagining a historic building through maritime storytelling.
client
Rottnest Island Authority
location
Wadjemup / Rottnest Island
date
2022
Creative Spaces worked with the Rottnest Island Authority to rejuvenate the Pilot Boathouse, a historic building constructed in 1846. Located on Wadjemup, a place of deep cultural and spiritual significance to Whadjuk Noongar people, the site also plays an important role in Western Australia’s maritime history.
The brief was to improve access and create an engaging and educational experience for visitors, while respecting both the heritage fabric of the building and the broader cultural context of the island. The previous fit-out had not been updated for more than two decades.
Creative Spaces collaborated closely with the RIA heritage team, the WA Maritime Museum and specialist contractors to redesign the layout, interpretation and lighting. Permanent displays were curated and designed to support clear storytelling, and Creative Spaces oversaw the exhibition fit-out and installation.
The completed project offers a refreshed visitor experience that strengthens understanding of Wadjemup’s layered histories. It supports learning for visitors of all ages while respecting the significance of place.
