Community Engagement

SDA supports groups and organisations that provide valuable services to the community or represent vulnerable people in our region. We provide pro bono services, particularly where these can give organisations a ‘leg-up’ to give momentum to a project or to provide focus for the group’s aspirations, or give practical support for construction projects. This has taken the form of consultation, feasibility studies, concept designs, advice on how to prepare material for funding submissions, and advice on how to manage remote capital works.

Sketch design for Mangweni Community Hall, Zimbabwe

Willowra Adult Education and Childhood Centre

SDA has supported the following organisations:

· Akeyulerre - Arrernte Healing Centre project scoping and feasibility

· ALEC – Arid Lands Environment Centre office alterations.

· DESART – guide for remote art centre managers in managing capital works projects

· Yipirinya School – scoping exercise for playground, sports and boarding facilities

· Rona Glynn Preschool - cubby house participatory design and documentation

· Acacia Hill School - design and documentation for new accessible toilet facility.

· Tanzania School Hall – provision of plans and professional advice for a remote school

· Timor L’Este – design of Health Clinic, Girls Home, Primary School and Self-build house

· Zimbabwe - Mangweni Community Hall documentation

· Central Australia Sikh Cultural Centre - Concept design of new temple.

· Hermannsburg Potters – site feasibility study

· Community Housing Central Australia - site scoping studies.

· Children’s Ground Alice Springs – feasibility study for funding applications.

· Olive Pink Botanic Garden – concept designs for new facilities

· Iwantja Arts - advice for managing capital works projects

ARTIST COLLABORATION

SDA engages with artists during the development stages of projects to enhance the cultural and aesthetic outcomes for clients and the community. In many instances the artwork identifies and amplifies the Indigenous cultural context of the project, connecting the project to country and community.

Pip McManus, Alice Springs Cemetary Chapel Sculpture

SDA projects with art content include:

· Integrated artwork in the Akeyulerre site redevelopment by Mervyn Rubuntja, currently in preparation.

· 4 separate commissions in the Todd mall Revitalisation Moth Shade Structure and light fixture by Pip McManus, Steel bench seats by Elliat Rich (involving the young Indigenous trainees at the CAT steel training workshop in production), Aerial Light Sculpture by Ben Ward & Dave Nixon and Mosaic Seat inserts by Hidden Valley Artists.

· Laser cut graphics at the Kilgariff entry statement and fence - Miriam Wallace

· Landscaping elements of the Garden Cemetery Chapel including brass bird sculptures by- Pip McManus, and floor mosaic by Alison Hittmann. Featured internally is a laser cut perspex light sculpture by Miriam Wallace.

· The Todd Mall entry statement with laser cut art design by Miriam Wallace

· Mural at the Alice Springs Aquatic and Leisure Centre by Alison Hittmann

· Acacia Hill School - Seed pods laser cut wall feature at Acacia Hill school by Miriam Wallace

Pip McManus - Todd Mall Moth Shade Structures

Ben Ward & Dave Nixon - Todd Mall Light Feature

Tjanpi Desert Weavers - Light Fitting, Dianne Robinson APY Art Centre Collective - Wallpaper

Miriam Wallace - Acacia Hill School Wall Feature

WORK EXPERIENCE

SDA has welcomed high school students into their office over many years to experience the daily working life of an architect. Work experience students are involved in current projects and given the opportunity to learn practical design and drafting skills. Many of these students go on to pursue a career in architecture.