Dulabed and Malanbarra Yidinji
Queensland
Far North Queensland
Wanggulay Boys Boarding is a culturally responsive boarding facility for Indigenous secondary students at Djarragun College. Located on Dulabed Malanbarra Yidinji Country in Far North Queensland, the project celebrates Country and landscape, with six buildings arranged around a landscaped courtyard. Multiple shaded outdoor areas, and landscaped pathways offer choice and autonomy.
Departing from traditional dormitory models, the facility provides private bedrooms, recreational spaces, and a truth-telling circle, supporting wellbeing, independence, and cultural connection. Endemic planting, student artwork, and local stories, such as Gindaja the male cassowary, protector of families, reinforce identity and belonging.
The project demonstrates sustainable and resilient design, with passive thermal strategies, solar power, recycled materials, increased tree cover and biodiversity. Delivered through an intercultural design process with Traditional Owners, students, and the College, Wanggulay Boys Boarding integrates culture, care, and community in a dynamic, welcoming, non-institutional environment that enhances education, social outcomes, and connection to Country.
At Djarragun College, we believe we probably now have the best boarding facility for secondary school students in the country. Using a combination of creative design, inspired insights into practical functionality, and genuine sensitivity to support the cultural perspectives of our Indigenous students from remote communities, POD designed a warm, welcoming home-away-from-home that simply makes every visitor say “Wow!”. This truly is a building that has exceeded, and continues to exceed, our very high expectations.
Belinda Allwood, Design Architect
Genevieve Hoeben, Project Architect
Alanna Coburn, Project Architect
Shaneen Fantin, Project Manager
STP Consultants, Structural Engineer
STP Consultants, Civil Consultant
Sequal Electrical, Electrical Consultant
Sequal Mechanical, Mechanical consultant
Gilboy Hydraulic Services, Hydraulic Consultant
Wild Plan, Town Planner
All Construction Approvals, Building Surveyor
Turner and Townsend, Quantity Surveyor
Trinity Consultants, Acoustic Consultant
Certified Energy, ESD Consultant
Niche, Cultural Heritage Consultant
Dulabed Malanbara Yidinji Corporation, Traditional Owners, Design Consultant, Cultural Heritage Monitoring
People Oriented Design, Landscape Consultant