AN ICONIC HERITAGE CHURCH BECOMES HOME TO AUSTRALIA'S LARGEST PHILANTHROPIC FOUNDATION.

This project is a rich transformation of an underused heritage building into an active and engaged public place.

Yirranma Place converts the 1927 First Church of Christ Scientist building into a precinct for philanthropy bringing together grass roots and well-funded not-for-profit organisations into a single building - enabling collaboration and ‘value adding’ across organisations.
 

The project delivers both public and private spaces – exhibition and meeting spaces in addition to secure office space, inviting the public back into the building with the aim of engaging to help solve some of the most pressing societal needs.

A key civic gesture is the south-eastern portico off Liverpool Street, which is retained for public access and viewing. Visitors enter here as they did in the past to access the Grand Hall and café, but today encountering a remarkable new public art commission by Uncle Badger Bates, a Barkandji man whose work inspired the foundation.

Bates teaches young people about Barkandji culture and is widely recognised and respected as an activist and advocate for the health of the Barka, the Darling River.

Bates not only designed the iron gates to the portico but has also painted a sky full of stars onto the portico soffit, creating an indelible story of earth and sky with these two plains.

The aim is beautifully captured in his own words: "I want to encourage other Aboriginal people and everyone walking past the gates to have a look, identify with and share the creation stories, look up at the ceiling, and feel encouraged to go into the building."