Across the University of Papua New Guinea campus sprawls the Games Village. It housed over 5,000 athletes and officials during the 2015 Pacific Games. Now, it serves as student accommodation. The Games Village isn’t just a place to sleep. It’s a symbol of Papua New Guinea’s rich culture and its aspirations for the future. The village’s design echoes the layout of traditional PNG villages. Five buildings, like tribal huts, cluster around communal courtyards called “Haus Wins” or “Mu”. These are spaces where traditional family gatherings take place. Bridges and open spaces connect the buildings, fostering a sense of community. The design also incorporates indigenous art and architecture. The soaring apex structures and communal gathering places draw inspiration from traditional forms. These elements are echoed in the shade canopies that protect the bedrooms. They provide shelter from the intense sun and rain, while also adding a unique visual element to the village. The Games Village is a vibrant hub of student life. It reflects the diversity of PNG’s cultural landscape, with students from over 7,000 different cultural groups calling it home. The village has a strict “one strike and you’re out” policy to maintain a respectful environment. This policy underscores the importance placed on maintaining the facility and fostering a positive living and learning environment. The Games Village stands as a testament to Papua New Guinea’s ability to host large-scale international events. It also serves as a lasting legacy of the 2015 Pacific Games. The village showcases the country’s commitment to providing quality facilities for its students and its pride in its unique cultural heritage. The Games Village represents not just a physical space, but a bridge between PNG’s past and its future.
Paga Hill Telikom Tower
“A useless place of rocks and stones” they called it. Yet here we stand before the Paga Hill Telikom Tower