Mari-Mari-Ba – Bushland Communal Hub | Deicke Richards

The Bushland Communal Hub is an important adjunct to our redevelopment of Mari-Mari-Ba, the former Joyce Wilding Hostel.

The site has served as a refuge for vulnerable First Nations women and children since the 1970s. The new development provides 33 residential units within a series of two storey buildings wrapped around a central landscaped courtyard.

The Bushland Communal Hub is located at the rear of the site and provides a setting for shared activities, meals, cultural ceremonies, or a space for reflection within the landscape.

The Bushland Communal Hub site is nestled directly adjacent to bushland and features large open spaces and smaller intimate spaces to provide flexible use of the space.

It was envisaged that the Bushland Communal Hub would encourage and assist First Nations residents to be deepen their connection to Country and to have access to the adjacent bushland.

Mari-Mari-Ba – Affordable Housing | Deicke Richards

Mari-Mari-Ba is a regeneration of Joyce Wilding Hostel, which served as a refuge for vulnerable First Nations women and children since the 1970s. The development provides 33 residential units within a series of two storey buildings wrapped around a central landscaped courtyard. A community hub building at the front of the site provides support services for the residents at ground level with units above. The Mari-Mari-Ba site has an extensive First Nations history, providing needed support services throughout its existence, both directly in terms of accommodation and support services, but also as a safe community space.
Deicke Richards was involved early in developing the initial project brief and master plan in consultation with the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy and the operators, the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (ATSICHS).
After extensive community consultation, the centre has been renamed Mari-Mari-Ba or place of the porcupine or echidna.