Tangentyere Design

Aim / Purpose

Tangentyere Design is an architectural enterprise of Tangentyere Council. Its core purpose is to provide architectural and project management services to Aboriginal clients and communities in the Central Desert region. Tangentyere Design is committed to working with town camp residents, and other remote communities, in providing design assistance in housing and other community building projects. Tangentyere Design works also on private commissions and offers architectural services to a variety of governmental and commercial clients.

History / Background

Tangentyere Council created an architectural division in the early 1980s to assist town campers in securing land tenure and to provide design advice for housing and community facilities on the newly established leases. Through extensive consultation with town camp residents, a variety of housing types and designs were created and modified over the years. In the 1990s Tangentyere Design formed as an enterprise of Tangentyere Council; and in 2006 the practice became a fully registered architectural business.

Activities - what does the division / program do?

Tangentyere Design is an award winning architectural firm with a distinguished history of professional work in Central Australia. For three decades Tangentyere Design has been at the forefront of national efforts to design, develop and deliver appropriate housing and community facilities for Aboriginal Australians. Through its extensive research and consultation with Aboriginal people, the practice has been responsible over the years for developing unique and affordable architectural solutions to community challenges.

In addition to its work with the residents of the Alice Springs town camps, Tangentyere Design also provides architectural and project management services to other remote regions of the Northern Territory. Projects include childcare centres, cultural centres, art centres, housing, office accommodation and community kitchens and other facilities. Our work also extends to private commissions, where we have provided professional design and project management services to small private clients as well as to larger commercial concerns.

Tangentyere Design has been instrumental in setting the benchmark for appropriate material specifications, for secure environments and for climatically responsive buildings. We have historically - and remain to this day - committed to providing architectural and project management services to Aboriginal clients, government agencies, private individuals and commercial enterprises throughout the Northern Territory.

Notable Achievements / Awards

Tangentyere Design has won the recognition of the Australian Institute of Architects by winning a variety of prestigious design awards over the years. These have included:

1. 2005 - Institute for Aboriginal Development, Alice Springs (in association with Susan Dugdale Architect)

   Public Buildings Award, Commendation

2. 2004 - Nyinkka-Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre, Tennant Creek (in association with X Squared Design)
   
   
   • Tracy Memorial Award
   • Public Buildings Award
   • Indigenous Community Architecture Award
   • Colorbond Steel Award
3. 2000 - The Lolly Houses, Yuendumu

   Tracy Memorial Award

4. 2000 - Family Court of Australia, tenancy fitout, Alice Springs

   Interior Award, Commendation

5. 1998 - CATIA Visitor Information Centre and Offices, Alice Springs

   Interior Award

6. 1998 - Central Land Council Regional Office, Tennant Creek

   President’s Award, Recycled Buildings