Murrup Barak, University of Melbourne

The Murrup Barak project at the University of Melbourne reimagines the cultural and physical space supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The relocation of Murrup Barak to Level 6 of Building 168 at the Parkville campus provided an opportunity to create a new environment that embodies identity, belonging and cultural pride.

Working in collaboration with JCB Architects and Gunditjmara, Wemba Wemba and Yorta Yorta artist Tommy Day III, Sculptform helped realise a unique timber ceiling installation that symbolises connection to the sky and the stories it holds.

Product
Click-on Battens

Materials
Timber 

Applications
Feature Ceiling

Sector
Education

Architect
Nomad Design

Artist
Tommy Day III

Location
Melbourne, Australia

Completion
2025

Photographer
Shannon McGrath

Videographer
Poached Egg Pictures

Indigenous Storytelling as Architectural Expression

Tommy Day’s artistic vision for the Murrup Barak ceilings was inspired by the night sky, star constellations and the stories that connect Aboriginal communities across Australia. The design captures stories held in the stars and the connection they provide for students who come to Murrup Barak from across the country. Through flowing, organic shapes, the ceiling becomes a visual representation of culture, identity and shared experience.

I’m really influenced by the location of the artwork and its intention. From there I thought, well we’re playing in the sky, and it’s a place that we don’t really get to play in. Understanding that the location of Murrup Barak, there’s Aboriginal students that come from everywhere. The one thing that we all sort of relate to are our stories in the stars.

Tommy Day III

Artist

From Sketch to Structure

Working with JCB Architects, Sculptform helped transform Tommy's artwork into a practical architectural ceiling. To keep costs aligned and construction smooth, Sculptform first rationalised the geometry so the design intent stayed strong without overwhelming the build.

Each section of the ceiling required careful planning and advanced detailing to achieve the desired rhythm and depth while maintaining installation feasibility. Sculptform’s computational design team digitally modelled each element, ensuring perfect alignment and consistency across the complex geometry.

Advanced Manufacturing to Simplify Installation

Once the design was rationalised, Sculptform used its manufacturing line to create an installation-ready system. This included:

Pre-cut, pre-coated plyforms for each ceiling zone
Raw Spotted Gum and mid-black pre-coated battens for tonal contrast
All battens cut to exact length to remove any cutting onsite
CNC-cut holes in each plyform showing installers exactly where to clip each batten for consistent spacing

This level of prefabrication meant installers could work faster with fewer variables, while architects retained every curve of the original artwork.

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We really wanted to be true to Tommy’s design and keep that organic shape. This sometimes came with a few challenges, so we had to review every batten to make sure it would be achievable for us to cut and then install on site.

Alexandria van Domburgh

Sculptform's Detailed Design Coordinator

Dimensional Material Finishes

The ceiling uses Sculptform Click-on Battens in Spotted Gum, finished in two contrasting tones to create movement across the ceiling. The mid-black coating provides shadow and depth, while the raw timber adds warmth and natural variation.

The interplay between dark and natural finishes adds depth and dimension, echoing the contrasts of the night sky. Because the ceiling sits low, this variation in tone and texture can be fully appreciated from the space below.

Collaborating on the Details

Working alongside Sculptform gave Tommy the opportunity to see his designs realised in an entirely new way.

“Working with Sculptform sort of took it to a different level,” he reflects. “To see drawings become fully realised and tactile in three-dimensional form was something I’d never been a part of before. To see the quality of work and to see your visions fully realised was incredible.”

A Lasting Impression

The Murrup Barak ceiling is more than an architectural feature; it is a celebration of culture, identity, and storytelling. Through the collaboration of artist, architects, and us as the manufacturers, this project demonstrates how thoughtful design can create meaningful spaces. Sculptform’s approach to translating artistic vision into buildable, high-quality timber detailing ensures that the ceiling not only tells a story, but also stands as a lasting piece of functional art within the University of Melbourne.

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Sky-Inspired Timber Ceilings