KINGS NARRATIVE
ALICE SPRINGS | 2023
‘The resulting structure is an outdoor amphitheatre designed as a versatile platform for the organization’s teaching, storytelling, and group workshops.’
The Kings Narrative Gathering Pavilion was designed as a functional architectural framework to support the specific, community-led programs of Kings Narrative. The resulting outdoor amphitheatre serves as a versatile platform for the organization’s teaching, storytelling, and group workshops. The foundational logic of the design was established on-country through deep collaboration with Tyson and Jess from Kings Narrative, whose aspirations focused on a structure that was both practical and inherently supportive of the cultural requirements of their work.
Prioritizing utility and site-specific logic, the pavilion is constructed primarily from locally sourced timber. This lightweight assembly was chosen to minimize environmental impact while utilizing regional materials and simplifying construction methodology for its remote context. Architecturally, the pavilion is organized into two primary functional zones: the upper surface and the support undercroft.
The upper surface provides an open-air, tiered forum for dialogue and performance. As a central gathering space specifically designated for the sharing of knowledge, it ensures the structure functions as a vital vessel for cultural continuity
The space beneath serves as a support undercroft, housing the integrated cooking and utility facilities necessary to sustain the Kings Narrative team and their participants during extended gatherings. Tyson and Jess envisioned a space that facilitated both rest and ritual, requesting separate sleeping quarters for men and women that allow participants to sleep safely off the ground while remaining connected to the landscape under the stars. This focus on safety and privacy extends to the inclusion of integrated, separate wash facilities for both groups. Beyond these living quarters, the brief emphasized the necessity of spaces that support traditional practices and communal bonding. This included a dedicated area for the butchery and preparation of kangaroo meat, a small toolshed for practical skill-building, and a larger communal space where the entire group can congregate to cook and eat together. By focusing on these core requirements, the architecture acts as a robust, practical backdrop to the Kings Narrative’s vision and daily operations.
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COMMUNITY CENTRE
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CONCEPT
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ARRENTE | ALICE SPRINGS