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BLACKET PRIZE
Photography: Brett Boardman
NSW Aboriginal Child and Family Centre Gunnedah
NSW Government Architect’s Office
This project is an example of
how thoughtful architecture
can have a meaningful
impact beyond its build form.
The Aboriginal Child and
Family Centre in Gunnedah
offers much more than just
a place for the safe care of
its community’s children. Its
brief addresses the broader
needs of the local community,
indigenous cultural issues and
environmental sustainability,
including providing local
indigenous employment
opportunities and skills
development, all within a
genuinely modest budget.
There is an innate
understanding in this project
that the care and education
of our children should be
safe and responsible, but also
varied and fun. This need for
adventure, exploration and
outdoor stimulation is evident
throughout the building and
in its interactions with the
landscape and wider context.
The building is simple
and modest, befitting its
location in a low density
residential area. The careful
selection and use of materials
demonstrates how sensitive
design can elevate a simple
and familiar materials palette
to more than the sum of its
parts.
In line with the building’s
social consciousness is its
consideration of climate and
sensitivity to the environment.
The architects’ understanding
of and response to climate
informs the orientation and
planning of the building, and
adds texture and richness to
its elevations.
The Aboriginal Child and
Family Centre Gunnedah is a
worthy winner of this year’s
Blacket Prize.
PROJECT TEAM
Practice Team:
Cathy Kubany
Project Architect
Dillon Kombumerrie
Program Manager
Michael Mossman
Community Liaison
Tasuli Gango
Architecture Team
Consultant Team:
Darko Lafciski -
GAO
Structural
Consultant
George Sabbouh -
GAO
Electrical Consultant
San Mai - GAO
Mechanical
Consultant
Christine
Scantlebury - GAO
Hydraulic
Consultant
Judith Fritsch and
Luke Wolstencroft -
GAO
Landscape
Consultant
Christy Barnes -
GAO
Interior Designer
Stephen Wardrop -
Housing NSW
Cost Consultant
Teresa Mack
Kitchen Consultant
Sean Moore - MBC
BCA Consultant
Construction Team:
Boulus
Constructions,
Armidale
Builder
Lance Bright -
Housing NSW,
Tamworth
Project Manager
Established 1984
This Prize was introduced specifically for
buildings erected in country New South Wales
and was named for the 19th century architect
Edmund Blacket whose picturesque Gothic
Revival style churches can still be found in
many country towns.
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