The Gai–mariagal People
New South Wales
For thousands of years, Car-ran-gel the Country now known as North Head has been important ceremonial grounds for local peoples. The sandstone promontory offered a place to gather and celebrate stories like those of Gawura, the whale, and Car-rang, the pelican; a sacred animal to the Gaimariagal people. These stories have been passed down through generations and played an important role in establishing Songlines that connect a vast kinship system.
CHROFI and Bangawarra designed two new viewing platforms for North Head Burragula and Yiningma offering breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour to hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. In addition to improving the safety and viewing experience of the existing lookouts, the project intends to be a catalyst for the future identity of Sydney Harbour National Park, as an environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable place that celebrates Country and continues the cultural traditions of local peoples for future generations.
 The Robert Woodward Award for Small Project ArchitectureÂ
The North Head Viewing Platforms are an exemplar in designing on, with, and for Country.
The two new viewing platforms do what they need to – respectfully and with longevity in mind – whilst also providing a vehicle to share stories of Car-rang-gel (Country now known as North Head) a place that has always been an important ceremonial ground for local peoples.
Following a bushfire in 2020 and a series of significant rockfalls in the area, the architects saw the remediation of the landscape and the pragmatic need to address public safety as an opportunity to reframe the cultural heritage and future identity of North Head.
The two platforms wrap around two new ceremonial circles where all people can gather, learn and share stories. Both the southmost platform, Burragula (the time of sunset), and the northern viewing platform, Yiningma (a cliff edge), create poetic and generous ways of sharing of stories and opportunities for learning, and create a truly meaningful connection with Country.
NSW Medallion
Designing for, and with, Country embodies a profound commitment to honouring First Nations perspectives and values, and cultural and environmental sustainablities within the landscape. When done well, it can transcend conventional design paradigms by prioritising the interconnectedness of land, people, and culture.
The two new viewing platforms at North Head at a pragmatic level do what they need to, respectfully and with longevity in mind, whilst also providing a vehicle to share stories of Car-rang-gel (Country now known as North Head), a place that has always been an important ceremonial ground for local peoples.
At its core, this project is about fostering relationships with Country that are reciprocal and respectful. It involves engaging with Indigenous knowledge and recognises that Country is not merely a backdrop for human activities but a living entity with its own agency and significance. Both the southmost platform, Burragula (the time of sunset), and the northern viewing platform, Yiningma (a cliff edge) understands its responsibilities to engage meaningfully; creating poetic, generous ways to share stories and opportunities for learning, and create a truly meaningful connection with Country.
The design by Chrofi and Bangawarra achieved the ambitious scope for the project on a modest budget. Burragula and Yiningma are thoughtfully located within the expansive landscape, focusing on the design principles of Connection with Country, durability, functionality, and aesthetics. The new structures provide a safe and accessible cliffedge environment for whale watching, quiet contemplation, cultural learning and artistic endeavour. References to Aboriginal Country have been subtly placed throughout the structures to provide visitors with a sense of discovery. The project has transformed a tired and worn precinct into a spectacular and vibrant destination, more aligned with the iconic setting.
The ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
