Territory architecture

A contrasting yet complementary brace of reports from the NT over this weekend.

The first, from the Weekend Australian, relates how surplus to requirements transportable huts ("dongas" as they're known in the Territory ) have been transferred from Woomera detention centre to Alice Springs to provide emergency accommodation for homeless Aboriginal people.

The second, from Radio National's By Design program (in fact a repeat of a broadcast last year) has a segment about Beni Burnett, an architect who designed buildings in both Darwin and Alice Springs from the late 1930s on. The website has some photos which enhance the program, in fact give you a very good idea of Burnett's work and how he was able to adapt his principles to both the Top End and Centre environments. Those who've lived or visited both will know that they differ considerably.