Shaping Country

A written research report about cultural engagement in Australia’s built environment. The report focuses on adapting the way processes are used to design built environments to include community, culture and Country.

Nourishing Terrains – Australian Aboriginal Views of Landscape and Wilderness

The Nourishing Terrains book explores Aboriginal views of the landscape and their continuing relationship with the land along with their comprehensive knowledge of its resources and needs. The book provides an overview of Indigenous perspectives, and captures the spiritual and emotional significance of the land to Aboriginal people. The aim of this is to foster a greater understanding amongst non-Indigenous Australians of the significance of Aboriginal connections with country and in turn show that understanding is essential to develop better relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
, Nourishing Terrains explores Aboriginal views of the landscape and their continuing relationship with the land along with their comprehensive knowledge of its resources and needs. The book provides an overview of Indigenous perspectives, and captures the spiritual and emotional significance of the land to Aboriginal people. The aim of this is to foster a greater understanding amongst non-Indigenous Australians of the significance of Aboriginal connections with country and in turn show that understanding is essential to develop better relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
, Nourishing Terrains explores Aboriginal views of the landscape and their continuing relationship with the land along with their comprehensive knowledge of its resources and needs. The book provides an overview of Indigenous perspectives, and captures the spiritual and emotional significance of the land to Aboriginal people. The aim of this is to foster a greater understanding amongst non-Indigenous Australians of the significance of Aboriginal connections with country and in turn show that understanding is essential to develop better relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
, Nourishing Terrains explores Aboriginal views of the landscape and their continuing relationship with the land along with their comprehensive knowledge of its resources and needs. The book provides an overview of Indigenous perspectives, and captures the spiritual and emotional significance of the land to Aboriginal people. The aim of this is to foster a greater understanding amongst non-Indigenous Australians of the significance of Aboriginal connections with country and in turn show that understanding is essential to develop better relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Interculturality, identity, and self-determination in an Aboriginal cultural centre

The paper explores the relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, their nature and perceptions while suggesting that questions of relation and questions of identity cannot be separated from one another. Utilising a case study of Dharug organisation: Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural and Education Centre, the author suggests that outcomes of projects of self-determination depend on the nature of intercultural exchange further in addition to economic and social wellbeing, cultural spaces and self-governance. , The paper Interculturality, identity, and self-determination in an Aboriginal cultural centre explores the relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, their nature and perceptions while suggesting that questions of relation and questions of identity cannot be separated from one another. Utilising a case study of Dharug organisation: Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural and Education Centre, author Lainie Schultz suggests that outcomes of projects of self-determination depend on the nature of intercultural exchange further in addition to economic and social wellbeing, cultural spaces and self-governance.

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.

In Absence Pavilion

In Absence Pavilion is a built project that invites audiences to understand the fallacy and ongoing legacy of the premise of Terra Nullius. The project sets out to combine contemporary architectural strategies and the semiotic potential of architecture, art and landscape to reveal resonant stories. Completed in 2019, it uses the context of the site and materials to celebrate Indigenous knowledge, heritage, culture and connection to Country.

Gunaikurnai Whole-of-Country Plan

This Whole-of-Country Plan is a written document developed by Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, with the assistance of Native Title Services Victoria. The Whole of Country Plan document aims to bring together and add to the discussions that Gunaikurnai people have had during their fight for Native Title, and paint a picture of how they are now going to move forward. The document features culture, Country, a strategic framework, plan implementation and measuring progress.

Auckland Design Manual, Māori Design Hub

The Māori Design Hub is an online space on the Auckland Design Manual website that provides insights, resources and examples of Māori design practice. The Hub exists as a resource to ensure the equity, social, cultural and physical wellbeing of Māori Housing in Tāmaki Makaurau. It features Māori housing policies, design principles, strategies and toolkits.

Australian Indigenous Design Charter Communication Design

The Australian Indigenous Design Charter – Communication Design is a written document with protocols for sharing Indigenous knowledge in communication design practice. The purpose of the document is to help facilitate an accurate and respectful representation of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in design and associated media. It is an open document that is reviewed on a regular basis and modified as required.

Design: Building on Country

Design: Building on Country, published in 2021, is the second book in a six-book series. The First Knowledges series offers an introduction to Indigenous knowledges in vital areas, with the second book focusing on Design. The book explores building on Country and two different ways of understanding the natural world: ancient and modern.

Narrative, Self and Engagement: An Immersive T(r)opical Experience

This paper is written to be a reference tool for educators who wish to expand their design studio learning environments. The paper discusses the complexities of acknowledging and understanding the interface of cultures that exist within our society. It outlines a workshop methodology that embeds cultural differences and acceptance into design studio thinking.