The first of three new ‘Explain Homes’ was delivered to Tennant Creek in December 2025, enabling a First Nations family to move into a home designed for their culture and way of living. Based on original plans created by traditional owner and Wilya Janta founder Norman Frank Jupurrurla and his partner Serena Morton Nabanunga, the home was designed in collaboration with the family who now lives there. “We all gathered around and designed the house,” says Serena. “How to face it so we can have it where the sun's coming up. There is one kitchen inside and one outside and two large lunch rooms for the kids and for ourselves.”

Other features of the new homes include wide shaded breezeways, two generous verandahs providing space for outdoor sleeping and extended family, and two bathrooms to support cultural avoidance. “We've got a breezeway for blowing smoke straight through the house with one door on the east side and one on the west,” says Norman. “The smoke flows through to keep the bad spirits and the sickness away from our house.”

The Explain Home design combines cultural safety with climate-responsive features, making it one of the most climate-appropriate housing models in the Northern Territory. This will save on carbon emissions and make the homes more affordable to run for families living there. Simon Quilty, Chief Operations Officer at Wilya Janta says the buildings match standard NT public housing for building costs, but are cheaper to run thanks to the energy-efficient design. "The upfront cost is about the same, but the long-term savings are extraordinary," he says.

Mallesons have been assisting Wilya Janta since 2023 with pro bono legal services, offering expert advice on incorporation, governance, commercial agreements, construction, employment, intellectual property, taxation and more. “We are inspired by all the incredible leaders who have led this work, particularly Norman Frank Jupurrurla and Serena Morton Nabanunga, who have been working tirelessly to improve housing outcomes,” says Dusan Stevic, Pro Bono Senior Associate and Manager at Mallesons. “It has been an incredible team effort involving partners, solicitors and shared services staff and we are grateful to be the firm trusted by Wilya Janta to support such a significant community-led project.”