Building Stories: Perth

An illustrated love letter to Perth’s heritage buildings—Building Stories: Perth reveals their gossipy pasts, surprising transformations, and the everyday stories hidden behind familiar façades.

The book explores how buildings evolve—and how their layered pasts continue to shape the city today. From power stations turned wine bars, to cinemas-turned-nothing-at-all, to the deli you didn’t realise was once a billiard hall, these buildings aren’t relics—they’re active participants in Perth’s culture, character, and everyday life.

Each entry is grounded in rich historical research but told in a lively, conversational tone that invites all readers in—not just architecture buffs. Perfect for fans of urban history, design, travel, slow tourism and the recent wave of books celebrating everyday buildings and community heritage, this book is both a visual delight and a heartfelt exploration of place.

About the Author

Deb Huff is an artist and illustrator based in Perth, known for her character-rich drawings that bring heritage buildings and their hidden stories to life. Her work blends illustration with research and storytelling, capturing the personality, quirks and layered histories of places that might otherwise be overlooked.

Deb’s illustrations have appeared in public art installations across Australia, including the lightboxes of Lightbox Lane in Albury (NSW) and Yagan Square’s digital tower in Perth, as well as group exhibitions with Brunswick Street Gallery and Red Gallery (Melbourne), and The Side Gallery (Brisbane). In 2024, she held her first solo exhibition, Building Nostalgia, in partnership with Temp Gallery at the historic London Court in Perth.