Newman PAMS wins international architecture gong

The Pilbara now boasts an internationally acclaimed architectural design with Newman’s Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service Healthcare Hub winning in the healthcare design category at this years International Architecture Awards. The PAMS facility, designed by Sydney based company Kaunitz Yeung Architecture, is one of nine Australian projects to be recognised in the awards, standing alongside a new airport in Singapore, a German sports arena and a number of skyscrapers. More than 2000 local endemic plants were used as part of the landscaping for the project with incorporated artwork from 19 local creatives. Rammed Pilbara red dirt was also utilised to construct the building which includes solar. This year, the awards received more than 800 entries from 46 countries in the fields of architecture, urban planning and landscaping. The PAMS facility opened last year with a focus on community ownership and encouraging consultation with local Aboriginal people. The PAMS hub is the first primary healthcare facility in the mining town and is the culmination of more than a decade working with the Indigenous community. Kaunitz Yeung Architecture director and co-founder David Kaunitz said he was proud of the new health centre which now operational would cater to some of the nation’s most vulnerable patients. He said it was important for clients to feel comfortable in the facility with an emphasis on “de-institutionalisation”. “We’re dealing with quite traditional Aboriginal communities and it is quite foreboding to go to a health facility. “We’re trying to deliver buildings that are de-institutionalised and really make people feel comfortable going and receiving health care.” The award-winning architect, who has worked with the Martu community for more than a decade said the company had consulted closely with Newman Commuities when designing the facility.