The Australian government has launched the national competition to design a $316.5 million Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural precinct in Canberra.
The project, to be named “Ngurra,” will create a National Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Centre – a new home for the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) – and National Resting Place to house and care for repatriated ancestral remains.
The word Ngurra is used in a number of Aboriginal languages to mean home, camp, a place of belonging and a place of inclusion.
The precinct will be located on the land of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people, inside the Parliamentary Triangle on one of the main axes of Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin’s design for Canberra. It will also be co-located with the the Tent Embassy, National Library of Australia, Questacon, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Gallery of Australia, and the High Court of Australia.
“This competition will ensure Ngurra has an iconic design fitting for the location while encompassing the importance of the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to this nation,” said Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt.
“We also will be looking for the best design to complement existing national institutions in the Parliamentary Triangle.
“Consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will take place as the design of the precinct progresses to ensure it is fit for purpose and a welcome addition to our national landscape.”
AIATSIS Council Chairperson Jodie Sizer said the winning design “must suit its location, and reflect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ aspirations, achievements and deep connection to Country.”
AIATSIS has also outlined key themes for the design of the Ngurra Cultural Precinct:
- Renew – Reflect deep and enduring respect for heritage and meaningful understanding to advance the cultural values of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Restore – World-leading example of climate-positive design, living place that gives back more to nature than it takes.
- Replenish – Unlock meaningful economic opportunities and foster innovation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples nationwide.
- Reflect – Welcome all Australians to learn, celebrate, and embrace our common future, and to move forward on a shared journey of global significance.
Stage one of the competition open to eligible Australian architectural, urban design and landscape design firms to submit expressions of interest.
Proponents of the competition strongly encourage the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as part of multidisciplinary teams, however, it is not a requirement.
The competition excludes architects not registered to practice in Australia and multidisciplinary teams located outside Australia.
Stage one submissions close on 1 April. The first stage of competition endorsed by Australian Institute of Architects.
Four participants/teams will be invited to participate in stage two competitive design process. Shortlisted teams will be paid an honorarium of $100,000 to participated in the second stage of the competition.
The jury comprises Indigenous architect Michael Mossman; architects Greg Burgess, Shaneen Fantin and Andrew Smith; as well as prominent Indigenous Australians: musician Clint Bracknell, journalist Stan Grant, academic Marcia Langton, filmmaker Rachel Perkins; and finally former politician Amanda Vanstone.
More information about the project and the competition can be found on the AIATSIS website.
