Recent Projects

Our work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

Since 1987 Assaí has extensive experience in projects for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities in Australia. Execution of these projects has involved innovative forms of construction and project management to maximise local participation, keep costs down, and ensure quality in what can often be remote and isolated locations.

Recent work with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities include:

• the design of a new health centre to support an existing health facility for the Puis X Aboriginal Corporate, Moree, NSW (ongoing)

• the Master Planning of an Aboriginal health centre, including the incorporation of passive climatic design and the recognition of Aboriginal values and attitudes towards health care for the Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, Campbelltown, NSW

• two demonstration houses interpreting local cultural values in a modern context for the Seisia Islander Council, Cape York. The design involved extensive consultation with the local communities and employed local youths in the construction phase

• five houses for Aboriginal families at Butler Bay for the Palm Island Council. Families were involved in the design of the houses and in the production of nud-brick construction designed to withstand cyclonic winds. Built by CDEP labour under expert trainer/supervisors. (Project undertaken in association with Paul Haar Architect (Victoria).)

• 'Sara' House demonstrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander approaches to Mackay lifestyle for Mackay Coloured Cooperative Society Ltd. The house was built by the Queensland Department of Housing with the participation of Aboriginal youth

• a study for the Department of Family Services and Aboriginal Islander Affairs entitled 'Initial Definition of a Self-Determining Housing Process for Three Aboriginal and Islander Communities' (Project undertaken in association with Colin James, Department of Architecture, of the University of Sydney.)

• extensive rural housing program for the NSW Department of Housing's Homes on Aboriginal Land Programme. The process employed comprehensive consultation with local land councils resulting in eight houses at Murrin Bridge; five houses at Walgett; ten houses at Toomelah and Boggabilla (in association with Colin James, Department of Architecture, of the University of Sydney; and ten additional houses at Toomelah (in association with Colin James, Department of Architecture, of the University of Sydney)