澳洲北領地阿納姆地　Yutjuwala Djwarr 安養之家

本案位於東阿諾姆地區，此地居民多為 Yolŋu 原住民，使這地原住民文化與法規根深蒂固於該區域。然而，因雨季洪水氾濫緣故，多數高齡長者被迫遠離家園，前往外地接受安養照護。經過長達二十年的倡議，一座專為原住民打造、譯為「小天堂」的 Yutjuwala Djwarr 安養中心終於落成。內部可容納 32 個床位，另設一張醫療病床及四座血液透析設備，打造在地首座融入本土文化與友善安寧的住宅型高齡長者照護機構。

Yutjuwala Djwarr translates roughly to "Little Heaven". Cultural advisor Robyn Munuŋgurr describes it as a place of harmony and comfort, where Yolŋu Elders can spend their final days on Country——before passing into "Big Heaven". Yutjuwala Djwarr—— Nhulunbuy Flexible Aged Care Facility is a 32-bed residential aged care home, including one palliative care bed and a four-chair dialysis unit. Located on Yolŋu Country in Nhulunbuy, East Arnhem Land, this is the region's first aged care facility.Accessible only by air or sea for half the year due to wet season flooding, the project sits over 1,000 km by road from Darwin.

East Arnhem Land spans 97,000 km² and is home to 16,000 people —— 12,000 of whom are Yolŋu. As one of the regions where Aboriginal culture and law continue to be deeply embedded in daily life, Yolŋu people had been advocating for more than 20 years to stop Elders from being relocated off Country for aged care. This forced relocation broke vital intergenerational bonds and weakened the fabric of community life.Over three years, the project team worked with Yolŋu Elders, families, and organisations to co-design a facility grounded in cultural protocols and responsive to Yolŋu ways of living and caring. The result is a deeply considered place that unites Yolŋu cultural knowledge with contemporary aged care standards.

建築貫徹「兩個世界」的理念，旨在完全符合澳洲政府長者照護標準的同時，仍保留 Yolŋu 文化族群的聲音與生活經驗認同的居所環境。設計特色之一為量體兩側各置多間臥室，外觀呈棕櫚葉狀排列。臥室可依個人需求調整為雙人或單人房型，長者於房中皆可享有兩至三個對外景觀視角，加強與土地的視覺連結。中間設有通往公共空間的走道，確保動線流暢。此布局有效引入充足日光與自然通風，降低對空調的依賴。本案同時兼顧不同文化族群、性別與部落系統的居住需求。戶外則呼應季節性傳統生活方式，尊重當地文化與自然節律。

Yutjuwala Djwarr walks in 'Two Worlds' —— achieving full accreditation under Australian Government standards while remaining a culturally resonant home for Yolŋu Elders. This balance required careful deviation from typical aged care models, with decisions guided by Yolŋu voices and lived experience.One key design feature is the palm - frond - like arrangement of bedrooms, separated by gardens and deep verandas. This unconventional plan improves cross-ventilation, brings in natural light, provides direct access to communal areas, and allows for multiple cultural groupings, genders, and skin groups to be housed respectfully. Outdoor sleeping spaces cater for traditional seasonal patterns of living.Rooms are flexible: twin rooms can be converted into singles as needed, and outdoor areas are protected for year - round use. Every resident has two to three views to the outside from their bed, reinforcing visual connection to Country and minimising the need for air conditioning.

早期本案因場址不適而一度停滯，在社區的主導下，最終確定在城鎮邊緣一處廢置的曲棍球場地作為落腳點。遠離日常喧囂之餘，同時便於進行居家探訪。周圍環繞著老榕樹，且毗鄰社區運動場，有效強化文化連結與社群參與。此建案強調景觀不僅是背景，更是整體設計不可分割的一部分。當地社群成員依文化與實用意義挑選物種，並培育原生植物，同時融入設計。整體設計亦納入男女各自的傳統儀式用地，確保建築與 Yolŋu 傳統與生活緊密相連。建築外立面以 Colorbond 鋼板及在地達爾文紅木材包覆。木材取自鄰近礦區，為原住民經營的 Gumatj Corporation 工場進行加工。木質外牆兼具通風立面及遮蔭功能。屋頂配置 200kW 太陽能電板，在日間高溫時段有效抵消耗能。建築採碎片化量體佈局，讓日光暮色隨時間延展成為日常景色。

Site selection was led by community consensus. While earlier versions of the project stalled due to unsuitable sites, the participatory process ultimately identified a disused series of hockey courts on the edge of town —— close enough for family visits, yet removed from daily bustle. Surrounded by old Banyan trees and next to the community oval, the site reinforces cultural connection and social participation. The landscape is more than backdrop —— it is integral. Yolŋu community members propagated plants from Country, selecting species based on cultural and practical significance. Ceremonial bungal grounds for men and women were included in the design, anchoring the building in Yolŋu tradition and practice.The facility is clad in Colorbond and locally sourced Darwin Stringybark, salvaged from a nearby mine and milled by the Aboriginal-owned Gumatj Corporation. The timber cladding also acts as a ventilated façade, improving airflow and shading. A 200kW rooftop solar array offsets power consumption, particularly during the hottest periods of the day. Fragmented built forms allow the landscape to dominate over time, reinforcing the cultural preference for outdoor spaces. The design enables "seasonal habitation", echoing Yolŋu tradition of using different shelters across seasons.

「Yutjuwala Djwarr 安養之家」為結合澳洲原住民文化的高齡照護樹立全新標竿。它不僅是一棟建築，更是一座充分展現由長者引領、社群決策、文化尊重的理想實踐。Yolŋu 長者能在自己的土地上，於此安養中心繼續傳承智慧、引導族人、與社群共處。本案未來延續計畫已在進行中，將這份「為族群而生」的在地安養照護傳承下去。

Yutjuwala Djwarr sets a new benchmark for culturally appropriate aged care in Australia. It is not just a building —— it is a living example of what becomes possible when Elders lead, communities decide, and culture is respected. It ensures Yolŋu Elders can continue teaching, guiding, and being with their people, on their land. Future iterations are already in motion, continuing the legacy of care on Country, by community, for community.

主要建築師：大衛．考尼茲　楊嘉慧

結構工程：WSP

施工單位：Scope

建築面積：3908平方公尺

主要材料：木材．金屬．原生植栽

主要結構：混凝土板．混凝土磚．鋼架．鍍鋁鋅板．木材

座落位置：澳洲北領地阿納姆地

影像：Brett Boardman

文字： Kaunitz Yeung 建築師事務所

整理：何雯意

Principal Architects：David Kaunitz and Kawai Yeung

Structural Engineering：WSP

Contractor：Scope

Building Area：3908 m²

Principal Materials：Darwin Stringybark Timber．Colorbond Metal Cladding and Roof．Native Planting

Principal Structure：Concrete slab．concrete block．steel framing．zincalume roofing．cladded with Darwin Stringy Bark

Location：Yolŋu Country - Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory

Photo：Brett Boardman

Text：Kaunitz Yeung Architecture

Collator：Winnie Ho