Interior - Honours (Interior Design)

BULKA BI-BULKA CENTRE

Bulka Bi-Bulka Centre aims to provide a sense of community and belonging to young First Nations Australians who have been impacted by the justice system. On a macro level, the facility works toward decreasing the mass incarceration of Indigenous Australians. On a micro level, it caters to a younger age group, with services focused on supporting young people through education that integrates traditional Indigenous pedagogies and epistemology, and employment opportunities provided through a social enterprise restaurant.

Rosa Lehane

CONCEPT

Located at the Powerhouse Stores building, the river becomes the lifeblood of the facility. Layers of transparency and interconnecting lines created by light hitting water are emulated in the design, with illuminated spheres of rippled glass placed at key nodes throughout the building. This sensory, place-based response affirms a sense of belonging to Country within users. Layers of Country have been fused with layers of the existing Stores building to create a harmonious environment, respectful of both their stories. Mental mapping techniques have also been subtly implemented to help embed this specific place in users’ memories and further a sense of identity.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I acknowledge the Turrbal and Yugara peoples as the First Nation owners of the land where we stand today. I pay respect to their Elders, lores, customs and creation spirits. I would also like to acknowledge and thank Gregory Egert, AKA Uncle Cheg, for his continuing guidance and support in undertaking this project. Collaborating with Uncle Cheg throughout the design process has not only enriched the design of Bulka Bi-Bulka Centre, but taught me more about designing with Country than I could ever have imagined.

Rosa Lehane

Rosa strives to create thought provoking spaces that challenge users. She is also passionate about infusing sensory, theatrical techniques into interior design. With a particular interest in both hospitality and public design, Rosa is excited to gain experience working across a variety of sectors.