kaunitz yeung architecture builds two aboriginal health clinics in the australian desert

located in the western australian desert, the punmu and parnngurr aboriginal health clinics have been built by kaunitz yeung architecture to serve the four indigenous communities of the martu. delivered together and 1000km apart by road, the two buildings have been developed through a unique approach – the result of their remote locations, and the fact that all materials and equipment were only available from perth 1800km away.all images by brett boardman

the punmu and parnngurr health clinics make up two of the four remote communities of the martu who have lived on their country for millennia before being some of the last aboriginal people to have contact with european’s. commissioned by punkurunu aboriginal medical service (pams), an organisation with a martu aboriginal board and the sole provider of primary health care services for the communities, the two buildings have been developed within programmatic constrains and a modest budget. kaunitz yeung architecture worked with the communities, the clinicians, and the client throughout the process, delivering two hybrid buildings of modular construction and site-built infill works.

the australian firm has grouped the clinical rooms into prefabricated modules, which were completely constructed in perth on pre-cast concrete raft slab, complete with external cladding, roofs and the full internal fit out. all materials were then transported 1800km to the site where the infill elements of the waiting rooms and corridors were constructed, enabling a contextualization of each building with respect to the site, orientation and cultural considerations.

each building is shaded by a sculptural pergola that acts as a secondary roof and provides shading around it, while serving as support for 60 flexible flexible photovoltaic panels which gather thirty percent of the clinics’ power. the prefabricated modules were constructed of double skin studwork with the internal leaf and the ceiling being separated from the external leaf and the roof by a cavity. windows to rooms were kept minimal and shaded with awnings and a solar hot water unit was integrated into the pergola.

project info:

name: the punmu and parnngurr aboriginal health clinics

architect: kaunitz yeung architecture