The Aboriginal Learning Centre ‘Binalba’ project aimed to deliver a series of objectives to the Tamworth campus site and community.

• — Create a place for Aboriginal learning, delivery and support to achieve the objectives of the ‘Two Ways Together’ philosophy (philosophy of education that “brings together Indigenous Australian traditions of knowledge and Western academic disciplinary positions”).

• — Be a centre for the delivery of some pre-vocational access programs, to which those subscribed are largely Aboriginal learners.

• — Design a general entry point to the campus and from it will flow a redeveloped campus pedestrian network.

• — Showcase New England Institute’s capability - Tamworth Campus’, in particular.

• — Provide facilities for community, industry and business engagement with New England Institute and send a powerful signal to these groups of the Institute’s commitment to marginalised learners.

Through constant collaboration and engagement with the TAFE Institute and the local indigenous community, all cue’s and guidance were acknowledged and implemented across the development of all project aspects.

The main architectural elements in the design include a centrally-located, doubled height art gallery / display space, an external performance space circle and a series of perforated sunshade screens along the Western / Janison Street façade, which are a non-literal interpretation of traditional Aboriginal symbols to represent journey and gathering, an idea that the building aims to both foster and promote.