Architect
Build Up Design
Build Up Design
Client
Yothu Yindi Foundation (YYF)
Yothu Yindi Foundation (YYF)
Location
Gulkula / Djalkiri Wanga in Yolngu Matha
Gulkula / Djalkiri Wanga in Yolngu Matha
Traditional Land Owners
Yolngu Land
Yolngu Land
Year completed
2014
2014
Project consultants
Irwinconsult – Civil, Surveyor, Structural, Mechanical
Ashburner Francis – Electrical
QS Services (Cost Consultants)
Irwinconsult – Civil, Surveyor, Structural, Mechanical
Ashburner Francis – Electrical
QS Services (Cost Consultants)
Builder
DRG Industries,
DRG Industries,
Construction Manager
Delta Reef Gumatj
Delta Reef Gumatj
Building type
Cultural Centre
Cultural Centre
Awards
2018 AIA Tracy Memorial Award
2018 AIA The Reverend John Flynn Award for Public Architecture
2018 AIA People’s Choice Award
2018 AIA Tracy Memorial Award
2018 AIA The Reverend John Flynn Award for Public Architecture
2018 AIA People’s Choice Award
The Garma Cultural Knowledge Centre sits on the Dhupuma escarpment at Gulkula 600km east of Darwin in north east Arnhem Land. Gulkula is on the traditional country of the Rirratjingu and Gumatj clans.
In 1998, Yolngu clan leaders selected the site at Gulkula for the location of a Yolngu Bush University subsequently named the Garma Cultural Studies Institute.
The initiative was to uphold
the Yolngu 'both-ways philosophy' where learning and being involved in European and Yolngu processes are seen to give Yolngu the strength to defend their culture and rights in both arenas.
the Yolngu 'both-ways philosophy' where learning and being involved in European and Yolngu processes are seen to give Yolngu the strength to defend their culture and rights in both arenas.
The plan was given to the architect by the client and takes the form of an anchor. Gumatj man, Galarrwuy Yunupingu explained that:
"The anchor represents unity and strength. It anchors Yolngu to our land and makes real our ties to the ceremonial meeting ground at Gulkula. Our guests are anchored to us and share in our cultural strength" - Grant “Gulkula and Ganbulapult”
Verandahs extend over the edge of the escarpment with views to the ocean.
The shank of the anchor houses an auditorium with the base of the shank housing the meeting area.
One arm houses offices, administration and other services while the other arm contains the learning area.
Three internal gathering spaces are interconnected while an administrative wing provides office and support spaces.
The spaces are flexible and can be used as individual spaces or opened to create one larger auditorium.
Stacking doors link internal and external areas creating permeable links throughout the building and its exterior.
The veranda provides circulation and a number of break out spaces for small groups and one on one discussions.
Operable windows and doors in the perimeter walls promote cross ventilation allowing the building to operate without air-conditioning during the dry season.
Eaves and awnings are wide providing shelter from the tropical sun and rain.
Screens are used extensively in timber and steel filtering the light and providing areas with privacy.
Locally milled timber has been used to finish the building while other materials reflect NT building traditions.
Cement sheet and corrugated iron are combined to delineate different internal spaces, helping to encode building uses as identifiable yet subtle way finding while providing texture and colour into the facade.
The exterior of the Garma Knowledge Centre is predominately two colours, yellow and dark red. representing the blood of the Yirritja and Dhuwa moieties.
Interpretations of the late Ms Gulumbu Yunupingus artwork, Garak, The Universe were translated into a series of laser cut corten steel panels provide privacy and act as sun shades. The panels serve to filter natural light, keeping the interior cooler and creating intricate shadows.
Text References
Scally, Simon, Text for Australian Institute of architects provided to author (Adele Mammone), March 2023.
Grant, Elizabeth. “Revisited: Garma Cultural Knowledge Centre” architectureau, August 7 2019 https://architectureau.com/articles/revisited-garma-cultural-knowledge-centre/
Yothu Yindi Foundation, “Gulkula and Ganbulapula,” 2014, https://yyf.com.au/pages/?ParentPageID=2&PageID=109
Media References
Scally, Simon, photographs and drawings to author (Adele Mammone), March 2023.
Northern Territory Government, Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security, “Natural Resources Map GDA94,” 2024 https://nrmaps.nt.gov.au/nrmaps.html
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Simon Scally for providing the NTAA with content as Buildup Design along with his time and permission.
Authors
Adele Mammone