Larrakia
Northern Territory
The Nungalinya project involved the staged replacement of five free standing 8-10 bed student accommodation ‘units’ over a period of five years.
The core idea of the project was to improve the capacity and appeal of the college by expanding its accommodation capacity in a climatically, culturally and economically responsible way .
Each unit sits on the site of a pre-exsiting 40 year old 2 bed unit and connects to existing services.
The new units allow for double the student capacity, with improved privacy, amenity thermal performance and site planning.
Climate was a very big consideration. Accessibility and cultural sensitivity were also key drivers.
Nungalinya operates on a very low level of funding, and therefore required these units to be built economically.
Fundamentally, success is determined from a student perspective. The new units are very popular and have had almost universal acceptance from students and staff.
The project with Incidental Architecture has been excellent from the outset. The new residential units are designed with the tropical, seasonal shifts in mind and incorporate Indigenous staff and student feedback in their design and further iterations.
Together they have significantly beautified the entire accommodation centre of the College, resonating with student’s expressed desire to be at the College to learn, but also to recuperate and rest. Dealings with the team have been respectful, clear and patient and we hugely appreciate just how much pro bono work has been gifted to the College. In short, we feel quite blessed.
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
