UFO Inspired Toilet Building, Bob Gordon Reserve, WA

Modus Australia worked with the City of Melville to deliver a custom dual-access toilet for Bob Gordon Reserve, featuring bold graphics inspired by the iconic Leach Highway Spaceship.

Principal:: Modus Australia
Client:: City of Melville
Head Contractor:: Phase 3
Product/s:: Custom Capricorn 5
Year:: 2023

A local icon reimagined for a new generation

The City of Melville, working with principal landscape architects Plan E, set out to transform Bob Gordon Reserve into a destination that celebrates local character and community identity. Central to the vision was a nod to Perth’s own UFO, the Leach Highway Futuro House, which inspired the design of both the playground and its supporting infrastructure. Alongside the space-themed play area, a custom toilet buildingwas needed to serve the high-traffic site. The goal was to create a facility that was practical, visually engaging and grounded in the story that shaped the park.

A Brief History of Perth’s UFO

In the late 1960s, Finnish architect Matti Suuronen introduced the Futuro House: a pre-fab, spaceship-like structure designed as a portable ski cabin. One of these rare creations found its way to Perth and quickly became a local landmark. Originally used as a land sales office in the Burrendah subdivision, it was later relocated to the corner of Leach Highway and Karel Avenue, where it captured the imaginations of passing drivers for decades. Though dismantled in the 1990s, its legacy lives on in local memory and pop culture.

Challenges and Project Needs

Support a busy and creatively themed play space
Reflect the unique identity of the site
Provide access from both the playground and wider park area
Reference the original Leach Highway Futuro House that inspired the park’s design

Our Solution

Modus Australia supplied a custom Capricorn 5 amenity building, designed in a back-to-back layout to enable smooth access from multiple sides of the park. This configuration is ideal for public spaces where flexibility, flow, and visibility are essential.

To honour this piece of WA history, the toilet building at Bob Gordon Reserve features custom graphic panels inspired by the Leach Highway “spaceship.” More than just decoration, the artwork connects the facility to the park’s theme, giving it cultural meaning and a stronger sense of place. When public infrastructure reflects local identity, it becomes more respected, less likely to be mistreated and more valued by the community. This building is not just functional, it tells a story.

UFO Inspired Toilet Building, Bob Gordon Reserve, WA

The structure includes vandal-resistant cladding and low-maintenance materials to ensure durability and easy upkeep. Motion-sensor lighting increases safety while conserving energy, and all fixtures comply with accessibility standards to create an inclusive facility for the community.

An Outstanding Result

This custom Capricorn 5 toilet building combines purpose with personality. It supports Bob Gordon Reserve’s role as a local destination, provides essential infrastructure for families, and celebrates a fun slice of Perth’s past in a bold and engaging way.