Murrup Barak | Jackson Clements Burrows Architects

Murrup Barak is a culturally transformative redevelopment located on Level 6 of Building 168 at the University of Melbourne’s Parkville Campus. Designed as a safe, welcoming, and empowering “home away from home,” it supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff to connect, study, and work without leaving their culture at the door. 

The project involved the removal of the existing fit-out to create a purpose-built environment guided by strong cultural principles that celebrate local, regional and national expressions of Country, community, and identity. 

The design represents these identities through embedded cultural expression, materiality, colour, artwork, intergenerational messaging and spatial storytelling, including the use of locally significant materials and collaboration with Aboriginal artist, Tommy Day. At its core, Murrup Barak is a place where Indigenous identities are celebrated, Country and cultures are proudly expressed, and community is fostered for current and future generations.