Pre-fabricated and assembled on-site within seven working days, the Nyul Nyul Community Packing Shed is very much a collaboration. The project is located on the land of the Nyul Nyul people, custodians of Winawarl, the Country also known as Twin Lakes Cultural Park.

SJB worked with the Traditional Elders of the Nyul Nyul Community on the Dampier Peninsula north of Broome to design this multi-purpose community packing shed that will support the future growth of their native harvest business. The project client: Nyul Nyul traditional owner and Elder Bruno Dann, sought a physical structure to support the community business of wild harvesting and selling bush foods at Twin Lakes, which he established in 2009.

“Over ten years, we have worked with and learnt from Elder Bruno Dann and his partner Marion about Country, the importance of place and what type of facility the community wanted. This discussion occurred over many trips to Country, learning a little more each trip ensuring that the design response would be respectful and reflective of the community’s ambitions,” says Adam Haddow, director of SJB. 

In addition to supplying superfoods like the Gubinge to the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry, the Nyul Nyul community share a long relationship with chef Jock Zonfrillo and his restaurant Orana, champions of the use of Indigenous gathering and cooking techniques and creators of the Indigenous Food Database.

Fostering an important sustainable business across the Kimberley Region, the shed is designed to facilitate harvesting by traditional custodians. Moreover, the facility acts as a sorting shed throughout the picking season – December through to March – and is designed to withstand the wet season cyclonic conditions while allowing a cool natural environment for working and meeting.

“An understanding of the existing structures on site helped to educate us about the local environment – structures which provide cover and shade, a place that protects from water and storms, yet is also open enough to provide ventilation,” continues Haddow.

To gain a deeper understanding of what was needed, the SJB team stayed on Country with the traditional owners. This gave two layers of insight. Physically, it was imperative that the structure could withstand termites, monsoons and cyclones. Culturally, however, a far deeper need was unearthed. That is, the project should embody a protest against the disruptive impact of the mining industry. As such, the use of any metals has been kept to a minimum, including the connection details for beams, columns and sheets.

To this end, the timber structure uses native hardwood dowels in combination with termite-resistant treated Laminated Veneer Lumber and Plywood. Where possible, the CNC machined elements are preassembled for streamlined construction. Solar panels provide all energy making this an entirely off-grid project. Responding to the site’s ever-shifting environmental conditions, the shed is designed to leave no trace when disassembled.

SJB
sjb.com.au

Photographer
Courtesy of SJB

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