Ngurra Design Competition: Shortlist

7 June 2022

By OCULUS

An aerial photograph of a lake front site. There is an large open corridor of grass running though the middle of the image, trees and buildings surround the open area, with mountains and blue sky visible at the top of the image.

Image: Ngurra Cultural Precinct site.

We are pleased to be part of the shortlisted Blak Hand Collective led proposal for the Ngurra Precinct Competition in Canberra.

The Blak Hand Collective feels an acute sense of cultural responsibility and pride in being shortlisted for the nation shaping design competition for Ngurra: The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Precinct on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country in Australia’s National Capital.

‘Incorporating a National Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Centre – with new and expanded facilities for Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) that empower and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as well as an important National Resting Place’, the significance of ‘ngurra’ which means ‘home’, ‘country’ or ‘place of belonging’ in many Aboriginal languages around Australia has great resonance to our entire team.

A platform for Indigenous led design excellence awaits, as we embrace the opportunity to create a scheme which will be ‘iconic, befitting its location, and reflect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ aspirations, achievements and deep connection to Country’.

Listen to Jefa Greenaway and Craig Kerslake on ABC Radio National to learn more about the Blak Hand Collective.

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