Challenge Brief
Darwin homes are famous for their unique designs—raised on stilts, open to breezes,
and built to survive the wild weather of the Northern Territory.
In this challenge, your mission is to use Minecraft to design the future-proof tropical house, inspired
by the classic Darwin stilt house.
Your house should be adapted for life in the Top End, resilient to cyclones,
and designed to keep cool in the northern heat
—all while respecting our local culture and community needs.
This is a challenge for primary schools only (Year 1 - 6)
Key things to consider
Cyclone Resilience
How will you make your house strong enough to stand up to powerful cyclones and wild weather?
Heat & Cooling
The NT is hot and humid! How will your house stay cool? Think about shade, airflow, high ceilings, verandahs, and clever design.
Sustainable Materials
What would you use to build your house? Consider local, recycled, or eco-friendly materials.
Water Management
How will your house collect and use water, especially in heavy rain and long dry seasons?
Resilience to Extreme Weather
How will your house handle more intense weather events like heatwaves, cyclones, or floods?
Community and Culture
Show your connection to Darwin and the NT. Could you include outdoor cooking spaces, art, gardens, or places to gather?
Timeline
Challenge opens to entries
01 Sep 2025
Challenge closes to entries
11 Oct 2025
Winner and runner up groups are
announced and invited to CDU IT Code Fair
18 Oct 2025
Winner and runner up groups attend
the CDU IT Code Fair and receive their Award
6 Nov 2025
How to Join?
Team Up
Form a team of 1-4 students. Brainstorm your big ideas together.
Plan Your Build
Sketch or draw your dream tropical house before you build in Minecraft. Think about the layout, special features, and how your house will fit the Northern Territory lifestyle.
Build in Minecraft
Use Creative Mode on a blank world to bring your design to life.
Present Your House
Record a 3–5 minute video tour of your house. Describe your main features and explain how your design is cyclone-proof, stays cool, and reflects local culture.
Register & Submit
Judging Criteria
Creativity and Innovation
Is your house full of smart, new, or original ideas?
Cyclone & Heat Resilience
How well does your design handle weather challenges?
Cultural Connection
Does your house reflect Darwin and NT culture?
Functionality
Is your house liveable, practical, and welcoming?