Case Study: Tika Tirka

Sector
Education
Location
Adelaide
Completed
2019
Designer
Greenway Architects

Koskela contributed a range of signature and social impact pieces to university accommodation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, from remote and outer regional communities studying in Adelaide. The accommodation was named Tika Tirka, and was built on Kaurna Land. We acknowledge the Kaurna people as the custodians of the Adelaide region, and we pay our respects to elders past and present.

The innovative space features a mix of flexible common and private living areas. Our classic Jake Chairs can be found nestled with our PBS Table in the common areas for dining and study spaces. We also contributed our Disc Table and Kaaria Chairs for these communal spaces to encourage collaboration and comfort.

For a more relaxed setting, we contributed a range of Quadrant Soft Sofas in a mix of earthy colours as well as the Jacob Sofa and Classic Sofa. The colours tied in nicely with the natural colours weaved into the key feature of the space: social impact lighting. Two of the light shades are Yuta Badayala, a collaboration between Koskela and Yolngu weavers from Elcho Island Arts. Each light fitting is unique, as the artists are given complete license to interpret the frame with profits going back into the Indigenous community.

Our versatile Polska Stools are littered throughout the common outside areas. Made from polyurethane (the black ones are 100% recycled polyurethane), these lightweight and stackable stools sprinkle colour and comfort to any outdoor or indoor setting. We also contributed pieces from our outdoor Jim range, including the classic Jim Chairs, as well as a custom Jim Outdoor Table fitted with slatted timber.

Koskela is deeply committed to using our design and production skills to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and makers. Our facilitation between artists working in Indigenous-owned art centres and commercial projects was a key element of this project. We are proud to have contributed a range of Australian made and sustainably sourced pieces to the university space. Inline with our ongoing social impact commitment, we will contribute 1% of all product and commercial sales back to the realisation of these projects with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned Art Centres.