Why RAP? Implementing a Reconciliation Action Plan
The discussion article, written by Samantha Rich explores the Reconciliation Action Plan, a formal agreement based on the template provided by Reconciliation Australia with actionable goals. In this discussion, Samantha Rich explains the significant benefits of companies undertaking RAPs to formalise their commitment to strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples. The article further explores the significant benefits of a RAP for architectural practice and what to watch out for when implementing one.
What is cultural safety and how do we design for it?
An article written by Dr Danièle Hromek exploring cultural safety in the built environment. The article explores the concept from a First Nations perspective and why it is imperative that designers understand cultural safety and consider it from project conception onwards.
Practising Ngara in urban Country
A written article on Melbourne’s Docklands, on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country. The article explores the possibilities of engaging with Country as a living entity in the built-up heart of the city. There is focus on Indigenous principles when immersing on Country including listening to Country and keeping Country healthy.
Material specificity: A ‘radically conservative’ approach
As a transformative profession, architecture inevitably impacts the Country whose materials it consumes. By grounding design processes in Country and embracing the nuances of place, we can achieve fit-for-purpose built outcomes that could exist nowhere else, explains Michael McMahon.
Listen, observe, learn: Ethics and protocols on Country
In this discussion Dr Danièle Hromek explores the protocols and ethics she learnt from her family and from Country as a child. She explores how these ethics and protocols relate not only to Country but the built environment and why they are important for non-Indigenous people to learn.
Indigenizing practice: Architecture and cultural consultants
In this discussion, Georgia Birks speaks to Troy Casey, Chris Bassi and Kieran Wong about collaborations between architects, First Nations consultants and communities. Troy Casey and Chris Bassi are from the Indigenous-owned business Blaklash Creative and Kieran Wong is from The Fulcrum Agency. They have worked together on a number of projects with the aim of leveraging community and social outcomes.
Indigenizing practice: Inclusive Indigenous community housing
In this article written by Hannah Robertson explores the concept Indigenizing practice through inclusive Indigenous community housing. Robertson argues that affordable, culturally appropriate housing through can be achieved through basic steps in the design process and how that can go a long way to ensuring residents’ satisfaction and comfort.
Indigenizing practice: Maximizing economic benefits
The new health and wellbeing centre in the Aboriginal community of Yarrabah demonstrates the value of projects that engage the local community not only in building design but in ongoing economic opportunities.
Yuwaya Ngarra-li
Yuwaya Ngarra-li (“vision”) is a community-led, long-term partnership between the Dharriwaa Elders Group (DEG) and UNSW. The aim of this partnership is to improve the wellbeing, built and physical environments, and life pathways of the Aboriginal community of Walgett, NSW.
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable: Supporting First Nations practitioners
The article by Georgia Birks, explores how First Nations practitioners are finding themselves facing a multitude of requests with the demand for their input accelerating. Georgia Birks asked four professionals-Bradley Kerr, Elisapeta Heta, Kevin O’Brien, Timmah Ball-about their experiences and how the industry can best support the small but increasing number of Indigenous designers and collaborators.