EDUCATOR
Sydney, Australia
Connecting with Country
EDUCATOR
Sydney, Australia
Connecting with Country
Project Team
Gillian Barlow
Sam Marshall
Jayde Roberts
Peter Farman
and others
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This course introduces architecture students at UNSW, Sydney to the First Nations concept of Country to inform their designs and bring respect to Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing.
Overview
This M.Arch design studio (ARCH 711) introduces students to First Nations’ ways of knowing, being and doing and the wholistic concept of “Country”. Students develop their skills in listening, observing, feeling and directly engaging with Country to design a Sustainability and Education centre for IndigiGrow, a First Nations owned and operated plant nursery. IndigiGrow explains the importance of Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub (ESBS) and the Country it grows on to the students. Each student becomes an ‘ambassador” for an element of ESBS or Country (flora, fauna, earth, etc.) and considers its requirements alongside the human dimension. ARCH7111 is an immersive space where students can test ideas to confront cultural survival, biodiversity loss and climate crisis.
Since 2021 the Australian National Standard of Competency for Architects (NSCA) requires that First Nations knowledge be included in architectural education, and that Indigenous perspectives, understanding of Country, and ethical engagement are embedded into the curriculum.
Institution
UNSW Sydney
Built Environment
Community Organization
IndigiGrow — Sydney, Australia
indigigrow.com.au
Additional Team Members
Dr Jayde Roberts
Community Engagement
Engagement is with the First Nations owned and operated plant nursery, IndigiGrow, who are propagating the endangered habitat ESBS as well as the Dharawal Country on which this habitat was once abundant. There is only 3% of ESBS remaining.
Partners
IndigiGrow
Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, Country
UNSW staff and students
