The Great Wall of Wa
Musterers’ Quarters and Chapel – Pilbara, Western Australia

Set in the remote Pilbara desert of Western Australia, the Musterers’ Quarters and Chapel is a unique architectural response to an extreme landscape and climate. Designed by Luigi Rosselli Architects, the project provides accommodation for cattle station workers during mustering season and incorporates a sacred space for contemplation and connection.

The project is anchored by a remarkable 230-metre-long rammed earth wall—the longest in Australia and possibly the southern hemisphere—which meanders along the edge of an ancient sand dune. This handmade wall, formed from locally sourced iron-rich clay, river gravel, and bore water, ties the twelve accommodation units to the land while offering resilience against the elements. With wall thicknesses up to 450mm, the rammed earth construction provides excellent thermal mass, enabling the buildings to remain naturally cool in the subtropical climate and protected from cyclonic weather.

The accommodation units are entirely embedded beneath the existing sand dune, leveraging the thermal and insulating properties of the earth. This configuration not only shields the structures from the intense heat and wet season conditions but also reflects the contours of the natural topography. Fanning out toward a vista of ghost gums along a distant riverbank, the units form a zigzagging pattern reminiscent of traditional Aboriginal artworks—an aerial expression of cultural continuity and respect.

At the summit of the dune sits the project’s spiritual heart: the Chapel. This simple yet evocative structure serves multiple functions, including as a place for prayer, meditation, and community gathering. Its oval plan is topped with a skewed conical roof in weathered Cor-Ten steel, a nod to the material palette of the surrounding cattle station infrastructure. The roof is pierced at its apex by an oculus, casting a solar meridian across the floor—a quiet homage to sacred structures such as the Pantheon in Rome.

Inside the chapel, a gold anodised aluminium ceiling reflects the desert light, and a sacred verse inscribed on the ring beam further imbues the space with spiritual significance. However, the architecture does not attempt to compete with the sanctity of the surrounding land. Instead, it acknowledges the site’s deep cultural roots; from its original Indigenous custodians to the family cemetery nestled at the hill’s base.

Durability and low maintenance were key considerations. The rammed earth walls are highly sustainable and require little upkeep—often no more than resealing every 10 to 20 years—and do not need plasterboard or paint. Their natural texture and finish form a complete, enduring expression of place, climate, and cultural respect.

The Musterers’ Quarters and Chapel represent a profound shift in architectural thinking for remote Australia; away from flimsy metal structures and toward robust, climate-responsive design that harmonises with its context. The project not only offers protection and comfort but also evokes a deeper narrative about the land, its people, and the stories embedded in its layers.

Awards:

2016 UNESCO endorsed TERRA Award for Earthen Architecture, Winner, Collective Housing Category

2016 Archdaily, Building of The Year Award Housing Category

2016 Architizer A+ Awards Judges choice Award

2016 Australian Institute of Architects, Western Australian Awards, Finalist

Location: North Western Australia

Design Architect: Luigi Rosselli

Project Architects: Kristina Sahlestrom, Edward Birch, David Mitchell

Interior Designer: Sarah Foletta

Builder: Jaxon Construction

Rammed Earth Contractor: Murchison Stabilised Earth Pty Ltd

Landscaping: Tim Davies Landscaping

Structural Consultant: Pritchard Francis

Environmental Consultant: Floyd Energy

Photography: Edward Birch