Kurlana Tapa Justice Youth Centre

Kurlana Tapa Justice Youth Centre

Our DecorZen Micro was featured in the bedrooms of this project. It was selected based on the acoustic requirement as these microperforated panels offer superior acoustic performance for medium and low frequencies.

Custom Contours of Country is featured in the bulkheads in the main hallways and lounge area. Local Aboriginal artist and Yuggera man David Booth contributed artwork to these panels, infusing the project with cultural references and stories.

David’s dedication to expressing his Aboriginal heritage stems from his mother’s commitment to preserving and sharing their culture. In a recent interview with Hills Wanderer, David reflected on this influence: “As kids, Mum was always engaging us with culture, surrounding us with cultural Elders, teachers, and knowledge holders. She was an amazing person, the strongest I’ve ever known, and her example instilled in me a deep pride in who we are’.- Hills Wanderer interview by Melissa Keogh.

David now shares this legacy with his children, helping them understand their connection to culture, family, country, and the environment.

These panels not only have profound cultural significance but are also fully GECA and FSC® certified. They are eligible for Green Star points depending on the substrate and finish selected. They deliver excellent acoustic performance, ideal for busy environments.

Decor Systems is proud to offer a unique service that enables architects to collaborate with local Aboriginal artists, creating opportunities to celebrate and narrate the stories of the land.

We spoke with lead architect Sara Paddick about this project and some of her reasons for specifying Decor Systems.

1. How did collaborating with a supplier who could create customised acoustic panels featuring artwork from a local First Nations artist influence your project? What significance did this partnership hold for the project's cultural and design objectives?

The willingness of the supplier to work with original artwork and to have the technical expertise to translate the art into their product meant we could be confident that the integrity of the art was maintained. The inclusion of original work by the Aboriginal Artist David Booth added an additional layer of meaning to the redevelopment, acknowledging the importance of connection to culture for many of the young people within Kurlana Tapa.

1. What inspired you to incorporate First Nations artwork into the acoustic panels of your project, and how does this choice reflect the project's cultural or environmental context?

Unfortunately, there is an overrepresentation of Aboriginal Young people at Kurlana Tapa. DHS work very hard to try to maintain a connection with culture for these young Aboriginal people, acknowledging the importance of this in healing and growth. The inclusion of original artworks by David Booth was a conscious decision to support these DHS objectives and also increase the therapeutic nature of the building design.

1. Can you describe the process of collaborating with First Nations artists to integrate their artwork into the acoustic panels? How did their input influence the final design?

We worked with David Booth to select artworks that we knew would translate well into the panel sizes and overall scope. David also chose works that told an appropriate story.

1. In what ways do you believe the inclusion of First Nations artwork in the acoustic panels enhances the overall aesthetic and functionality of the space? Are there any specific acoustic or visual benefits that you aimed to achieve?

There is no doubt that the acoustic panels enhance the beauty of the space as well as reduce the overall reverberance. The natural timber finish draws on biophilic design principles.

Decor Systems can help you provide innovative and significant ways to integrate Indigenous culture throughout your projects using our products. As a Supply Nation-certified business, we can help you achieve the goals and commitments outlined in your RAP. When you partner with us, you actively engage with an Indigenous-owned and operated business.