Charlie's (s)park
“To think ourselves into country…[is] a slow burning revolution…[it] will need to keep smoldering…It will need to put a spark into our thinking.” – Archer & Beale 2004
Charlie’s (s)park is a tropical community learning centre and wildlife hospital located within one of the largest remaining natural regions surrounding Darwin, Charles Darwin National Park. This facility aims to ignite interest and care towards the natural environment aided by engaging architecture, including capturing the beauty of a tree’s canopy through roof elements, helping to blend the spatial atmosphere with the outside environment.
The idea of meandering drove the planning of the facility, inspired by how wildlife moves around, creating networks and discovering new paths. Workshops allow for general learning about the environment, including what to do when you come across injured wildlife, as well as activities like possum nest box assembling and native plant fabric dyeing.
The hospital, research lab, and rehabilitation enclosures allow for the observation of the wildlife care process. While, the native bush garden emphasises the cycle of the seasons and the ephemeral ‘stream’ celebrates the event of the Wet Season, with flora like the Cocky Apple signaling the arrival of the first rains once it begins to fruit.
Would you know the steps to take if you found injured wildlife?
