Why excitement is building up for the redevelopment of the New Museum for Western Australia

The significance of museums cannot be understated for they enable society to connect with art, culture, history, and heritage – and they do so through an entertaining and enlightening manner.

Image source: museum.wa.gov.au

Western Australia is a place that has billions of years’ worth of history, being one of the most ancient lands on the planet. The state is replete with artifacts and living fossils that date more than three billion years old. One of Earth’s oldest living cultures known to man, the Australian Aborigines, spent tens of thousands of years in WA. Even in written history, WA is rich in stories, information, and artifacts. 

For these reasons, the redevelopment of the New Museum for Western Australia is considered one of the most significant today. 

WA Premier disclosed a year ago that $428.3 million had been allocated for the project and that the 6,000-square-meter facility will be completed by 2020. 

Unveiled also was the concept design, which includes a five-level concrete, metal, and glass facility with a cantilevered top floor. The museum would be a “permeable” structure as entrances would be constructed on all four sides of the building. There will also be learning studios to allow guests to watch working scientists and curators, and interactive temporary and fixed exhibitions. 

This bold project is cause of excitement for not only West Australians, but also visitors because it will reflect the state’s extraordinary history, uniqueness, creativity, and diversity. 

Image source: abc.net.au

Lisa Dudzik is a contracts and claims manager who has worked on several extensive construction projects all over the world. Having traveled to different countries throughout her career, she has since returned to her home state Western Australia. Click here for more discussion on WA.

Enthralling Historic Railway Sites Anywhere In The World

Railway systems have always been one of the most enduring symbols of progress in the contemporary world. When the British started developing the steam locomotive in the 18th and 19th centuries, a viable network of transportations was born. The railroads are marked arterial lifelines that connected cities and people.

Those steam locomotives, of course, have since been replaced by electric ones. The railway systems are also modernized a great deal, boasting of new safety features and more efficient rail networks. Since grade separation is ideal for these transportations, their construction requirements are often complex. Here are some of the most amazing historic railway sites registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, celebrating them as feats of engineering:

Mountain Railways of India

Three systems belong to this category: the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and the Kalka Shimla Railway. The successful and effective implementation of a mass transport system that traverses the most treacherous mountain terrains is surely inspired work. All three lines are still fully operational.

Image source: wikipedia.org

Semmering Railway

The whole line is divided into several sections that progress like a visual narrative of sorts, set against the most picturesque backdrops in Austria. Comprised of a series of viaducts, tunnels, stone bridges, and other construction wonders, it has passed the test of time.

Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes

The line is a combination of two historic ones (the Albula and Bernina lines) into one transalpine railway system that features an assortment of stunning structural features. From galleries and tunnels to viaducts and bridges, this line that crosses the Swiss Alps won’t fail to mesmerize anyone.

Image source: commons.wikimedia.org

Lisa Dudzik managed, for almost two decades, large-scale construction projects involving high-capacity subways and stations, roads, and highways. Having lived in different places as an expat, she lists Maldives, Belize, and the U.K. as her favorite travel destinations. To learn more about her inclinations, visit this blog.