MIRDIYAN GUNUNA

MORNINGTON ISLAND, gulf of carpentaria

Mirdiyan Gununa is a project intended to provide a space for the people of Gununa to increase participation in their rich cultural heritage through different forms of art and storytelling and to become a place for future generations to learn about the importance of their culture. Taking on a U-form to create a courtyard which transforms to a traditional performance area for the Mornington Island dancers was a key aspect of creating this design to allow for cultural performances to be viewed from many directions, inviting all to come, watch and participate in events. This allows for the outer edge to be designed as more private and intimate courtyards encompassing native flora to attract local fauna as an area for exchanges to occur between users in enhanced native landscape areas.

A space for the continuation of teaching and practice of deep and historic culture.

Designing while taking in cultural sensitivities of the Lardil lifestyle was a crucial part of creating the centre.

Cultural avoidance behaviours were taken into consideration in order to create a design which allows men and women to modulate their behaviours and interactions with each other as they see fit.

done primarily through creating separate and joint entrances to the design studios, as well as having outdoor garden coves-where native fauna is attracted to and observed- directly attached to the respective studios as well as other locations for all to enjoy

The cultural centre takes on a u-form which allows a grassed performance area with a hilled observation area to be viewed from all rooms.

creating a sense of unity as people can gather to watch performances by Mornington island dancers, allowing all members of the community to come together and share in their culture.

Identification and use of native flora which would attract fauna was a key requirement of the users of the centre as watching the birds of the island whilst painting was highly favoured

  • DIOSPYROS HUMILUS: SMALL LEAFED EBONY

  • CORYMBA POLYCARBA: LONG FRUITED BLACKWOOD

  • GREVILLEA PTERIDIFOLIA: GOLDEN PARROT TREE

  • MYOPORUM ACUMINATUM: mangrove boobialla

  • AMARANTHUS INTERRUPTUS

  • GOMPRHENA CANESCENS SUBSP. CANESCENS

  • MUROANNIA GRAMINEA

  • GEODORUM DENSIFLORUM

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