The revitalisation of this urban block into an open-air museum reflects the site’s First Nations and early colonial history, offering contemporary channels by which to engage with Country. The site and surrounds are testament to Country’s desecration; critical swamp ecosystems usurped as reclaimed land, plentiful sandstone reaped through quarrying, vital Songlines assumed by highways, and communities shattered. Celebrating Country’s resilience through modest architectural interventions and replenished ecosystems highlights the transcendence of Country despite these scars. The site is utilised as a microcosm of the nation – holding space for truth-telling and reciprocity – to educate, particularly following the disinformation spread in the lead up to the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum.

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

University of New South Wales
School of Built Environment
Master of Architecture (Social Agency)

Additional Team Members

Professor David Sanderson, Mark Szczerbicki, and Renate Carius