Apparatus has completed the integrated public artwork Grit at the Wallis Drilling Headquarters in Hazelmere. This project involved the creation of a large-scale perforated artwork embedded within the architectural façade across multiple buildings, forming part of the site’s external shading system.
Wallis Drilling is a family-owned Western Australian company with over 60 years of experience in the drilling industry. The new purpose-built headquarters consolidates operations into a contemporary industrial campus within the City of Swan, reflecting the company’s long-standing leadership, innovation, and connection to landscape.
Grit takes inspiration from geological strata, archival imagery, and local flora. These elements are layered within flowing topographic forms, combining imagery of drilling machinery, workers, and native species. The design translates these narratives into a perforated surface that shifts in legibility depending on distance, light, and movement, revealing both macro and micro readings of the work.
Throughout the design process, Apparatus collaborated closely with Wallis Drilling and the broader project team to ensure seamless integration with the building architecture. Spanning Buildings A and C, the artwork establishes a cohesive visual dialogue across the site, guiding the experience of the headquarters from the street and reinforcing its identity within the industrial precinct.
