Stairway to heaven

The new Saltwater Busselton Arts Centre is set to quickly become a landmark in WA’s south west, and behind its striking design is the work of RTW.  

From curved staircases to heavy-duty handrails, the team delivered more than 220 tonnes of structural steel, shaping the building's backbone with precision and flair. 

Among the most impressive features was the curved staircase and handrail system, both of which demanded absolute accuracy to tie seamlessly into the structure.  

“The design of the handrail system for the building was very heavy-duty, and a lot of the sections were required to be built with curves and with the requirement to connect to in-position columns, so accuracy was paramount,” RTW Works Manager Nick Jokich said. 

“The staircase was also curved and built from heavy UC sections and curved on edge flat bar handrailing.”  

The project called for a stronger focus on aesthetics than usual, testing the team’s ability to combine strength with style.  

“There was a lot more focus on looks than what we’d normally deal with, but our team did a great job to achieve success within the time constraints,” he said. 

For those who worked on it, pride came in seeing the finished centre open to the public.  

“When it opens, I think everyone will be very proud to see their hard work and skills in place and being enjoyed by many,” Nick said.