The Karlkurla Foyer Project (pronounced ‘gull-gurl-la’), in Kalgoorlie was developed to provide safe, secure, and positive housing for the youth of Kalgoorlie. A much-needed service in the outback of Western Australia, where young people between 16- 30 grapple with homelessness and lack of support. This foyer is dedicated to help young people transition from unstable life to develop educational and employment pathways whilst having a safe place to live.
According to data from the Australian 2016 census, people between the ages of 15-34 made up 30.6% of Kalgoorlie’s population. The city accommodates some facilities and services that are suited to that age group such as schools, tertiary education, and recreation. However, housing support services in Kalgoorlie and surrounding towns for this age group is poor and even more so for Indigenous youth which make up the majority of the indigenous population in Kalgoorlie. “Lasting impacts of colonisation on Indigenous Australians, exposure to family violence, substance disorders, unemployment, low education levels, and poor health” increase a risk of homelessness (Innovation Unit 2021, 7)
Karlkurla Foyer has the capacity to house 14 individuals and 6 small families. It provides residents with many public spaces which can be used for social purposes or as educational/employment workshops. Support facilities such as a medical room, a café, consultation rooms and bathrooms are included in the design, along with support for staff to assist residents and provide them with the best opportunities for development.
The Aboriginal symbol for ‘Meeting Place’ is a repetitive circle surrounded by lines that lead into the centre. This symbol has been interpreted and incorporated into the design concept. The courtyard acts as the heart of the Foyer, a place where all can meet and has a direct line of access from each building.
Karlkurla Foyer
Academic / 2022 / Individual Project
Kalgoorlie sits on the Wongatha country, owned by the traditional custodians of the Wangi group, which combines 8 different Aboriginal groups across the Eastern Goldfields region. The culture is deeply rooted in the country and landscape, with many native flora’s being used for more than just a food source but for medicine, heeling remedies and for making tools. The town has become a rich mining hub, bring a lot of revenue for the economy but creating a great divide between large income earners and low-income earners.
To help the residences of the foyer feel safe, connected to their culture and supported, the design mindfully weaves nature in an out of spaces, provides visual wayfinding cues, includes formal and informal meeting places, allows internal spaces to be open, provides access to high and low energy spaces, includes water in the landscaping and has space for private independent living quarters.