05 | Sue Dugdale: Bridging Culture, Climate, and Community

In this episode, Sue Dugdale, Director of SDA Architecture, discusses the Mparntwe Health Hub in Alice Springs. Located in a challenging desert environment, this healthcare facility integrates cultural safety with high-performance design. Sue explains how listening to Aboriginal stakeholders led to unique facade murals depicting traditional healing practices, created using continuous line drawings on large-scale louvers. The project achieved a six-star Green Star rating by implementing innovative waste management, such as on-site concrete crushing and Aboriginal-led steel manufacturing. By prioritising the protection of a sacred tree and fostering local employment, the project demonstrates that healthcare is deeply interconnected with care for both country and community. We would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of these lands from where we record this podcast, the Arrernte people as the traditional owners of the land in which this podcast was recorded. We recognise first people’s deep connection to the land, waters, skies and culture. Their knowledge has guided generations in adapting to and thriving within Australia’s diverse and often challenging climates. We honour their wisdom, resilience, and generosity in sharing their stories and understanding of country.