Cooling Brothers Wins AGWA Award for Digitally Printed Glass in HMAS Perth Memorial

Commissioned by the HMAS Perth Memorial Foundation and created by Western Australian artists Smith Sculptors, the memorial features a stunning series of raked, laminated and digitally printed glass panels that form the focal point of the installation. Designed to evoke the movement of water and the legacy of the fallen, the glass includes archival photographs, naval imagery and interpretive storytelling.

The artworks designed by Smith Sculptors were reproduced on glass using the ImagInk high resolution ceramic printing process, before being custom laminated. The Cooling Brothers Commercial Glazing team handled installation onsite, structurally glazing the raked facade using a combination of glass fins and custom stainless steel fittings.

The project was awarded the 2025 Australian Glass and Window Association (AGWA) for excellence in bespoke design, craftsmanship and community impact. It demonstrates how commercial glazing can serve not just functional but meaningful purposes in public and civic architecture. Paul King, Managing Director at Cooling Brothers said the award is about merging technology with legacy.

“We’re incredibly proud to have been part of the story of HMAS Perth I” said Mr King. “To see the legacy of the ship come to life in digitally printed, custom laminated glass has to be seen in person to be truly appreciated. To be recognised by AGWA is a huge credit to everyone involved, in particular our commercial glazing and design teams who were key in successfully delivering the technical requirements of this project."

Vince Bianchini, Sales and Marketing Director at Cooling Brothers said the collaboration was key to the project. “Smith Sculptors brought an incredible concept to the table - and the most technically challenging glazing project we have ever undertaken. Our job was to bring that to life with precision and detail” said Mr Bianchini. “From the raked angles and oversized, out of square panels to the clarity of the digitally printed glass — we’re incredibly proud of the result.” This award winning glazing project shows how digitally printed glass can be used to create lasting and visually striking installations that meet the technical and aesthetic demands of commercial glazing.

Continuing with the awards, Greg Ferguson, Senior Glazier at Cooling Brothers was awarded 2025 State Industry Person of the Year by AGWA. The award recognises Greg’s decades of precision installation, mentoring of apprentices and his role in delivering some of the company’s most complex projects. “Greg is well and truly deserving of this award,” said Glazing Manager Rhys Aizlewood. “He’s the embodiment of the craftsmanship, care and professionalism we aim for at Cooling Brothers".

The HMAS Perth I Memorial is located in East Fremantle and is open the public. Read more about the HMAS Perth in our project case study.