Project Contact
Ronan Moss
Alyssa Valenton
Belinda Barnes
Fathmath Evan
Grant Macdonald
Karen Clutson
Nissie Bungbrakearti
Paul Milwood
Zoe Taylor
Jovan Van Kampen
Matte Ager-McConnell
Michi Playford
Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation Facility
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Designed by COX Architecture in collaboration with ck architecture, the new Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation Facility provides a culturally safe, welcoming space for all First Nations mobs—including those who may be displaced or disconnected—to reconnect with culture, and for youth and families to feel supported, proud, and at home. The purpose-built centre replaces the original building on the same site, honouring the community’s strong attachment to place and their desire for continuity and permanence.
Architecturally, the building reimagines western forms through a cultural lens – placing Country, connection, and community at its core. Drawing from local landscapes and the diverse identity of First Nations peoples, the design introduces a series of vertical voids that allow Country to move through the building and users to engage with it across multiple levels. These architectural moments extend beyond the building’s footprint, blurring boundaries between built form and land, and recognising that ‘Country disregards cartographic lines.’
Inside, a careful balance of open communal areas and private consultation rooms supports diverse programmatic needs from after-school activities to mental health support. The flexible, adaptable spaces are designed to respond over time to evolving community priorities while promoting calmness and cultural expression. Externally, landscaped gardens function as healing spaces, inviting quiet reflection, learning, and reconnection. These gardens are integral to the healing environment, nurturing calmness and cultural expression.
Materiality plays a central role in the design. Natural textures, abundant daylight, and passive ventilation create a healthy and uplifting atmosphere. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, artwork, and cultural references are woven throughout the building, offering both physical identity and symbolic meaning. A suspended Bogong Moth sculpture anchors the central gathering space, acknowledging a species of deep cultural significance to the region. A recurring leaf motif, derived from eucalyptus leaves gathered on site, appears in balustrades and screens, embedding Country directly into the building fabric.
The project was shaped through close collaboration with Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation and the local community. Engagement included workshops, sketching, and ongoing consultation with Elders, staff, the Board, the United Ngunnawal Elders Council, and ACT Government representatives. Stakeholder engagement was undertaken alongside The Fulcrum Agency to ensure a meaningful and culturally respectful process. This co-design approach continues as an ongoing partnership, ensuring the building reflects community aspirations and fosters a strong sense of ownership and pride.
The facility serves as a safe, welcoming space for young people and families and a ‘soft landing’ for those seeking help. It also empowers Gugan Gulwan staff with practical, culturally informed spaces that strengthen their capacity and support their wellbeing, allowing them to take pride in a centre that supports youth through challenges such as disconnection, incarceration, and homelessness, as well as moments of hope and growth.
Gugan Gulwan stands as a culturally rich, functional space embodying the strength, resilience, and identity of its community – a hub for healing, learning, creativity, and care.
