Djinjama reveals plans for "Indigenous-led" cultural centre in Canberra

Local studio Djinjama has unveiled designs for Ngurra: The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Precinct in Canberra, Australia.

Ngurra – which refers to 'home' in various Aboriginal languages – will be set within the grassy landscape of Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country in Canberra, and was designed to serve as a cultural centre for the First Nations people.

Designed in collaboration with design firm COLA Studio, and architecture practices Hassell and Edition Office, the proposal by Djinjama won a competition for the new landmark and will comprise two main spaces – The National Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Centre and The National Resting Place.

"Djinjama guided us in an Indigenous-led design process that allowed us to sense Country, which means that deep time and memory has been captured into the design," Hassell head of design Mark Loughnan said.

"The result is a distinctive design concept which creates a globally recognisable home for the National Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Centre and The National Resting Place," he added. "It's a design where Country, kin, and community are embedded."

"In a similar way to how significant buildings like the Sydney Opera House have become a physical symbol of modern Australia, we sought to propose a bold and compelling concept that rightly places and expresses the significance of First Nations' history and cultures in Australia's national conscience."

The National Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Centre will form the largest of the spaces and function as a central plaza hosting a new community room for events and functions.

Here, a large wooden canopy held up by slim timber columns will shelter the space and be punctuated by a circular opening to form a spacious, open-air courtyard below.

Beside the courtyard, the indoor cultural centre will be nestled into the hilly landscape – with visualisations depicting the structure wrapped by textured walls and glass openings, and topped with greenery.

In a similar manner, The National Resting Place will also be integrated into the rolling landscape and will serve as a private ceremonial building designed as a "discrete space for cultural sensitivities and moments of reflection".

The space will comprise two structures, including a curved entrance building followed by a taller, circular structure that will shelter the resting place and be wrapped by a secluded inner courtyard.

Connecting each of the spaces will be a network of interweaving and meandering paths carved through the site's landscape. These were determined through an observation of the historical movement of animals across the landscape.

Also included in the design is an amphitheatre, along with wildflower and grassland gardens.

Djinjama is a design and research studio established by Danièle Hromek in 2020, whose work contributes Country and Aboriginal cultural expressions to design and architectural projects.

Other cultural buildings recently featured on Dezeen include a cultural centre topped with a viewing box by Renzo Piano and a cultural centre wrapped with perforated marble screens by Studio Saar.

The renders are courtesy of WAX unless otherwise stated.

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