Anangu
Northern Territory
Uluru is sacred to the Anangu – the traditional people of central Australia, and is also regarded as a national icon. The cultural centre is an Anangu place. It was the wish of the Anangu that the building design express their working together ‘as one’ with the rangers of the Australian Nature Conservation Agency in the joint management of the Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park.
The Uluru – Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre is an exhilarating building that celebrates the spirit of the Anangu culture through its animated relationship with its powerful site, extensive use of sustainable materials, low energy consumption and its sympathetic responsiveness to both people and the environment.
The cultural centre is an Anangu place. It was the wish of the Anangu that the building design express their working together ‘as one’ with the rangers of the Australian Nature Conservation Agency in the joint management of the Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park. The building would have never eventuated without the dedication of the Mutitjulu community, ANCA and the consultant tream which, in the spirit of warmth and trust, evolved the design concept through a collaborative on-site process which saw the brief developed. This exhilarating building celebrates the spirit of the Anangu culture through its animated relationship with its powerful site, extensive use of sustainable materials, low energy consumption and its sympathetic responsiveness to both people and the environment.
The cultural centre responds to conflicting functional requirements of an intensively utilised ‘tourist facility’and an Anangu focus. The centre successfully integrates a range of activities including an introduction to Anangu culture, joint management, art and craft shop/gallery, performance space, souvenir shop, cafe and restaurant. Spaces between the building view to Uluru and Kata Tjuta to the central Desert Oak and to the horizon which are all part of the skilfull spatial. The project was awarded the Tracy Memorial Award and People’s Choice Award at the 1996 Chapter Awards.
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.
