Blaklash was commissioned by the Woppaburra Land Trust to lead the development of the Woppaburra Cultural Centre Feasibility Study, in partnership with DBI Architects.

Envisioned as a tangible expression of Woppaburra sovereignty, the Cultural Centre is conceived, governed and led by the Woppaburra people, on their own terms and in their own voice. It’s intended to be a cultural and community anchor: a place of return, reconnection and renewal for Woppaburra people, and a platform for celebration, education and leadership on Country.

From the outset, the process was grounded in Country. On Woppa, that meant listening to Elders, to community, and to the Island itself. Through on-Country workshops, Woppaburra Elders, Traditional Custodians and community members shaped every decision, from site selection and orientation to the ways people move through and gather in the space. Regional stakeholders, including Council representatives and local businesses, also contributed to ensure the project supports long-term cultural and economic outcomes.

The Cultural Centre forms a central component of the broader Great Keppel Island Concept Masterplan, which prioritises sustainable development, eco-cultural tourism and community-led initiatives, with First Nations leadership at its core.

The feasibility study explored two potential sites for a design outcome that is both culturally grounded and environmentally responsive, and restores and affirms the Woppaburra presence on their ancestral homeland.

Architecturally, the design is conceived as an extension of the Island’s unique landscape, and a place that listens and responds to Country. Guided by passive design principles and sustainable construction methods, the vision is to prioritise local materials and respond sensitively to the site’s topography, natural systems and cultural ecologies to ensure Country is nurtured and considered even in times of development.

Because when you start with Country, you end up somewhere more powerful than design alone can take you.