Architecture students have helped design and build innovative outdoor homes for a remote Indigenous community in the Northern Territory.

The township of Titjikala will sport several new housing options, designed along important community, cultural and environmental guidelines.

The project was a unique opportunity for students to further their design and community consultation skills while making a contribution towards much needed infrastructure in remote areas.

“Designing culturally and environmentally appropriate housing for Indigenous communities remains a challenge that faces Australia at large,” says Project Lead Dr David O’Brien from the University of Melbourne.

“It’s a challenge that some of our brightest Master of Architecture students have taken up,” he said.

“This particular housing project takes into account the desire for outdoor living spaces, due to extreme heat and the cultural preference to conduct daily activities outdoors, such as cooking.”

Overcrowding is a challenge too, so the outdoor living areas also provide additional living and sleeping space.

“Housing is a shared responsibility with Indigenous communities and support organisations, who must provide their own ‘sweat equity’ to help plan, build, maintain and repair their homes.”

The new homes will be officially unveiled today.