Located in Wilcannia on Barkandji Country, the Baaka Cultural Centre transforms the fire-damaged remains of the historic Knox and Downs store into a contemporary cultural facility for the town and surrounding region.

Developed with the Barkandji community, the centre provides a place for cultural knowledge, learning and exchange. The program brings together a Keeping Place for the care and return of cultural artefacts, gallery and exhibition spaces, artists’ workshops, language learning rooms, visitor facilities and community gathering spaces.

The architecture retains and stabilises the historic stone walls of the former store while introducing new rammed earth structures formed from soil sourced near the site. These elements anchor the building in the material and environmental conditions of the Baaka (Darling) River landscape.

The design balances the conservation of heritage fabric with new construction that reflects the scale, climate and character of Wilcannia. Verandas, courtyards and shaded outdoor spaces support the town’s strong culture of gathering while responding to the extreme climate of far western New South Wales.

The Baaka Cultural Centre provides Wilcannia with its first dedicated cultural facility – a place for the care of cultural objects, the sharing of Barkandji knowledge, and the strengthening of community life on Country.

Photography: Brett Boardman