Outside In – Episode 1 | The Mparntwe Health Hub
Architecture, Culture and Collaboration
The art scene in Central Australia is deeply rooted in culture and community.
Sue Dugdale (Architect, Susan Dugdale & Associates), Michael Little (Key Cultural Advisor, Congress), and Uddhava Sharplin (Head of Building Performance, Louvreclad) discuss the development of the Mparntwe Health Hub. From the outset, the inclusion of artwork on the building was proposed as a way to demonstrate values and give back to the community through design. The idea was readily supported by Congress.
Health, Country and Cultural Expression
The façade artwork is expressed through two murals, with distinct men’s and women’s themes. Men’s themes focus on protection, hunting, and shelter. Women’s themes focus on bush foods, bush medicines, caring for babies, and smoking ceremonies. Together, the artwork reflects cultural knowledge and health-related narratives connected to Country.
Climate Response and the Role of Louvres
The building’s western orientation results in strong exposure to afternoon sun, making solar control and shading a critical design requirement.
A key response is the use of large, one metre-deep Sheraton Series® louvre blades on the façade. These louvres are central to the building’s environmental performance, helping to mitigate direct solar gains, reduce heat load, and support cooler internal conditions. At the same time, they allow daylight and outward views, maintaining visual comfort within the spaces.
Beyond their environmental function, the louvres also become the surface for the applied artwork. This integration allows the façade system to operate simultaneously as a shading device and a medium for cultural expression, bringing together performance and narrative in a single architectural element.
Explore the Project Further
Listen to the Inside Out podcast for the full story.
Read the full case study to explore the project in detail.
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