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 judgment 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.