ngurrak barring's Community theme Architectural Node has been shortlisted as a finalist for the prestigious 2026 ArchitectureAu Award for Social Impact.
Nodes act as resting or meeting points along the 39 km ngurrak barring trail and are enhanced by permanent structures that invite visitors to pause, reflect, and connect.
The shortlisted Architectural Node is located in Sassafras Village Green and features a gathering space and play structure. It was designed for ngurrak barring by First People's designers COLA Studio and Djinjama and draws inspiration from the theme of 'Community'.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Richard Higgins, said it was an honour to have the Architectural Node recognised at such a high level.
"ngurrak barring uses art and design to connect people more closely with the environment around them.
COLA Studios and Djinjama are some of the best designers working in this unique space. We're honored to have this world-class design feature so prominently in the heart of Sassafras."
Councillor Higgins said that extensive community consultation went into the redesign of this important community space.
"This is the only one of the five Architectural Nodes along ngurrak barring that will sit in a township. The structure acts as a place to meet, shelter and celebrate."
"It's this commitment to community that has being recognised with this Award. Sassafras Village Green epitomises what it means to 'celebrate empathy, equity and community at the centre of design'." (Please note, the highlighted sentence is a direct reference to the award)
Jury Chair, Katelin Butler, said a focus on meaningful community engagement emerged as a common theme amongst this year's shortlist.
"Authentic engagement with relevant community groups is evident across the delivery of the shortlisted projects in this year's awards program. This shifts the emphasis from the built form alone to the relationship between the building and its users," she said.
Five Architectural Nodes have been designed for ngurrak barring, each reflecting on one of the five themes of the walk; Community, Ways of Seeing, Activism, Resilience and Country.
