Beating out 10 other finalists, iredale pedersen hook architects’ striking design for the Walumba Elders Centre edged ahead of large hospitals, clinics and other health facilities in the UK, Japan, Kuwait, Ireland and Australia. The award was presented at the 2015 World Architecture Festival – the largest and international festival of its kind.

The design of the Walumba Elders Centre answered problems caused following a devastating flood hit the region in 2011. In the aftermath of this, iredale pedersen hook worked closely with the community and the elders of the region to create a replacement aged care facility that answered problems present, and respected the deep history of the people of the community. The Walumba Elders Centre is designed with location and demographic in mind, and specifically respects the cultural needs and mores of the Giga people of Walumba, enabling the elders to pass knowledge onto the next generations.

The new structure stands three metres above the ground, well above flood level should the future repeat itself. The building is linked to the ground through a series of walkways and stairs. Combined with the adjacent school, the centre forms the new heart of the community and is the core of its regeneration.

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