Bulmba-ja, Cairns

By TPG Architects

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Bulmba-ja Centre of Contemporary Arts

A new centre celebrating Indigenous arts in Far North Queensland called for a welcoming public building to showcase the unique stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Existing tenants and start-up Indigenous organisations sought open and flexible spaces to grow, share knowledge and resources. The digital façade is a dynamic canvas bringing Indigenous voices to centre stage, while the ground level straddles private and public space. Fringed with landscaped breakout spaces, laneway café, a palette of Herberton porphyry, local timbers and Indigenous plants, the ‘Big Verandah’ extending over the footpath serves as a green, shady oasis beneath the double height colonnade. TPG Architects worked closely with Yidinji and Yirrganydji groups to create an architecture that acknowledges and respects these Traditional Owners of the land on which the building stands. This process culminated in naming the centre Bulmba-ja, in both language groups meaning ‘home’ or ‘place’.

Photography: Andrew Watson

Bulmba-ja, Cairns
Bulmba-ja, Cairns
Bulmba-ja, Cairns
Bulmba-ja, Cairns
Bulmba-ja, Cairns
Bulmba-ja, Cairns
Bulmba-ja, Cairns

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Bulmba-ja, Cairns

TPG Architects
TPG Architects
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TPG Architects' directors have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. With numerous projects in North Queensland, from the Whitsundays to PNG, we have extensive experience in sustainable commercial, community, educational, residential and resort developments.

Our ongoing commitment to understanding our clients' requirements is reinforced by the pragmatic commercial and design skills we bring to the project, with a thorough knowledge of the construction realities of building in the tropics. This is reflected in the practice's numerous repeat clients that we have been able to assist to successfully deliver award winning projects.

With over 25 regional, state and  national architectural awards, TPG Architects and our directors are  the most highly commended practice in  the region.

Quality Management
TPG Architects’ quality management system conforms to ISO 9001:2015 / AS/NZS 9001:2016. Our third-party accreditation reflects TPG Architects’ commitment to best practice in the architectural profession and delivering the best quality service for our clients.