Subiaco Museum Refurbishment

Creative Spaces worked with the City of Subiaco to refresh the Subiaco Museum, improving visitor experience while respecting the site’s heritage value. The museum is an important community space, and the brief called for a careful update that would strengthen interpretation without altering the building’s character.

The existing displays were reorganised into a series of clearly defined zones, including the shop, kitchen, ticket booth and house façade. Each area was given its own focus, helping visitors better understand how the space was used and who lived and worked there. Interpretation centred on the People of Subiaco, using personal stories to connect objects to lived experience.

The design introduced updated finishes and a lighter material palette to improve visibility and comfort. Light timber joinery and contemporary laminates were used alongside retained heritage elements, creating a balance between old and new. Spatial planning was kept simple and intuitive to support accessibility.

The refurbished museum now offers a clearer, more engaging experience for visitors. The project strengthens the connection between the collection, the building and the stories of the local community, reinforcing the museum’s role as a welcoming and relevant civic space.

Photography by Subiaco Museum and Rory Arrigan