Kunawarritji Learning Hub
Kunawarritji community, Martu Country, East Pilbara, Western Australia
About the project
The Kunawarritji Learning Hub will be a multipurpose facility designed to support local Martu community organisations to deliver a wide range of community, cultural, language and learning programs.
Its objective is to create the conditions to support Martu people living on Country and preserve their language and culture.
METIO is leading the project development, including facilitating community consultations and design coordination. The project has now Development Approval, and we are actively looking for funding opportunities and project partners.
The building’s unique design by Peter Stutchbury Architecture and Arup – on a pro-bono basis – has Country in its heart. Embodying Martu cultural principles and environmental sustainability, it will serve as a welcoming space for collaboration between local organisations and the wider Martu community.
“When we participate, we learn. When we care we can imagine. The Kunawarritji hub cares – first it runs with the sand dunes – finding comfort with the land – it provides shade and shelter essential for stillness – it centres around a beautiful community room, a circle, no hierarchy, hand in hand – a fire, a dirt floor – connectivity. Here people come for reassurance; culture lives, walls are paintings, floor is stories, and the ceiling holds the words of the smoke.”
Project team
This project is coming to life due to the commitment of the following team:
Client: Rawa Community School
Project Development: METIO
Architecture: Peter Stutchbury Architecture
Engineering: Arup
Quantity Surveyor: RW Quantity Surveyors
Location
Project outcomes
Improved social cohesion, community health and wellbeing for Martu community members
Improved links between essential services and Martu community members
Improved educational outcomes for Martu children
Increased employment, training and leisure opportunities for Martu community members
Preservation of Martu language and culture
