A culturally responsive student accommodation facility on Kaurna Country designed to support independent living, learning and community connection.

Tika Tirka, meaning “sit/stay and learn” in Kaurna language, was developed as a home away from home for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying in Adelaide. The facility was created to give students the best opportunity to succeed in their education while living independently in an environment that also supports cultural identity and community connection.

Built for the South Australian Housing Authority, the project comprises a new three-storey, 20-bed apartment building with a mix of communal and private spaces. These include a common living area, dining room, rooftop terrace, central courtyard and shared living zones arranged in pods of three to four rooms. In collaboration with Phillips Pilkington Architects, DLG SHAPE constructed the facility with a strong focus on layout, finishes and outdoor access to reflect Indigenous culture and create a welcoming residential environment.

DLG SHAPE delivered the build under a design and construct model to meet programme and budget requirements, with the contract later converted to Lump Sum. As delivery partner, SHAPE Australia supported delivery through coordination and specialist expertise. The project required careful planning and site set-up due to the boundary-to-boundary footprint and the presence of major power lines and junctions close to the structure. The project also contributed to Indigenous participation outcomes through the engagement of one full-time Indigenous employee and work experience placements for four Indigenous students.

Visit DLG SHAPE’s website to learn more: dlgshape.com.au