Northern Territory Archives - Australian Institute of Architects

Nungalinya | Incidental Architecture

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.

Melaleuca Australia Courtyard Shade Structure | Hames Sharley NT Pty Ltd

Melaleuca Australia’s new roof structure has transformed an underused weather-exposed courtyard into a unique and idyllic communal gathering space for staff, clients, and the wider community to enjoy.

A not-for-profit organisation, Melaleuca celebrates connections and belonging, and is dedicated to assisting refugees and migrants in their settlement journey.

The new butterfly roof makes a statement and gracefully soars over the existing courtyard, honouring and embracing the original 1960s breezeblock building. The robust yet lightweight, contemporary roof structure features galvanised steel roof framing and spotted gum timber details. Raw, unrendered materials and an efficient structural design minimise construction costs. The strict yet artful structural detailing and use of large concealed cyclonic washers on the roof sheeting are creative solutions that respect the tropical environment.

Melaleuca’s new courtyard roof is a truly collaborative project. From cost-effective solutions to in-kind contributions from the design team, the project exemplifies a community-driven approach and outcome.

Larrakeyah: Shared User Facility | BVN

The Shared User Facility (SUF) is a new multipurpose building at Larrakeyah Defence Precinct, on the edge of Darwin Harbour. It brings together previously disparate Navy and Base groups in new contemporary working accommodation.

The simple cranked form follows the edge of an escarpment overlooking HMAS Coonawarra, and is oriented to the south to minimise solar heat gain and reduce the need for sun shading, with fullheight glazing that provides high levels of natural light, and direct sightlines to the wharf.

A double height foyer links the customer service, conference and training facilities on the ground floor with the upper level, which comprises a flexible and adaptable office environment.

Addressing Defence’s strong focus on sustainability, the materials palate is robust, with a focus on low-maintenance and long-life cycles, particularly in the corrosive marine environment. These are rigorously detailed, with a focus on scale, modulation, and proportion.

Hames Sharley Darwin Studio | Hames Sharley NT Pty Ltd

Hames Sharley’s Darwin Waterfront Studio is a welcoming and inspiring space for staff and guests, where creativity and collaboration thrive. Informed by an imperative to create an environment conducive to sensory comfort and seamless collaboration, the design draws on the practice’s extensive research and experience in sensory workplace design.

The entry provides guests with a sense of arrival, with Victorian ash battens and handmade light pendants. Internal and external glazing provides transparency and connectivity to the water views and floods the studio in natural light. Clear sightlines provide constant glimpses of the harbour and workpods have been configured to take full advantage of the natural light.

Calm textures, finishes and colours reflect and extend the view of the surrounding harbour, foliage and cliffs. Ottomans in prints by Indigenous artists embody the colours of Larrakia Country.

The new studio showcases modern workplace design, while prioritising staff wellbeing.

Dripstone Middle School STEAM Centre | Hames Sharley NT Pty Ltd

Dripstone Middle School’s STEAM Centre represents a bold new shift in innovation and modern educational practices, promoting inquiry-based learning, collaborative peer-to-peer interaction, and cutting-edge technology.

The state-of-the-art facility fosters learning across Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics and features a makerspace, robotics laboratory, green room, digital printing room and outdoor learning space and yarning circle.

The makerspace is integral to the centre and provides various learning and creative environments tailored to diverse educational needs. Traditional class settings, booths for focused activities, and high tables equipped with convenient drop-down power points for hands-on learning create a dynamic and interactive space.

The new STEAM Centre is an example of excellence in educational design and is a space that nurtures exploration and experimentation and equips students with essential skills for current and future employment opportunities.

Catholic Care Head Office Renovation | Bennett Architecture

The Catholic Care head office was created as clean and minimalist office in combination with natural colours and patterns, balancing a holistic workplace while maintaining a professional setting.

The layout of the first floor consists of a variety of private offices, open workstations and staff outbreak spaces which encourage people to congregate informally or for office events. A combination of open and suspended ceiling areas accentuates these different zones.

Our holistic approach to the materiality and colour palette choices were guided by the surrounding landscape, colours of country, from the ochre tones of the local Porcellanite rock to the varied green hues of gum tree leaves.

The spectacular feature of this project is the incorporation of local indigenous artist, Homere Wosomo (Lily), who designed a pattern, applied to timber wall panels. This feature reflects Catholic Care NT and its community’s culture and forms the backdrop for their amazing services.