Community Bio-cultural Heritage Centre in Ulu Papar

The centre will act as an information and activity hub for community-based conservation and environmental education for the people of Ulu Papar as well as for visiting groups such as students, field researchers and tourists.

The Bio-cultural Centre will be integral to the preservation of local knowledge as well as enabling the communities to enhance their livelihoods and confidence to establish Ulu Papar as an important site for the protection and promotion of bio-cultural heritage in Sabah.

The Building

The building includes performance space, workshop, office, gong playing area, kitchen, wash rooms, and waste water treatment system. It was built by Arkitrek volunteers and the local community and features locally harvested timber and bamboo, beautifully woven screens and biocrete thermal insulation. The building is designed to support performance, gathering, learning and celebration.

Design Team

Ian Hall, Thomas Henderson-Schwartz, Lewis Kelly, Nur Filzah Jamjam, Nadhira Halim, Cathy Yarwood, Hayden White, Jake Warrington, James McConville, Kevin Loftus, Maisie Williams, Marie Mutl, Mark Thomson, Murray Christian Talbot, Nina Cutler, Olle Knutsson Blomquist, Robert John Hebblethwaite and Samya Kako.