DESERT PEOPLE’S CENTRE

Alice Springs, NT

This educational campus, catering for indigenous students from remote central Australia communities, is situated within the Desert Knowledge Precinct, a community-driven and government-supported initiative. CLOUSTON Associates has been involved with the project from its inception through to its construction.

The landscape design reflects the surrounding country through the extensive use of indigenous plants and hardscape materials that complement the desert’s colours. Water-sensitive urban design features have been incorporated into the landscape with the use of bioswales, dry creek beds and detention basins to capture stormwater run-off and return it to the aquifer.

CLOUSTON has also developed a suite of signs to assist wayfinding throughout the centre. The style of the signs continues the precinct’s design, echoing the hues of the terrain.