Precedent Projects

# Precedent Projects Seeing what genuine Indigenous engagement looks like in practice is one of the best ways to learn. This chapter showcases projects that have set benchmarks for Country-centred design and respectful community collaboration. --- ## HOME — Australia Pavilion Venice Biennale 2025  _Fig. 9.1: HOME at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 features a circular rammed-earth structure exploring Aboriginal knowledge systems and sustainable design.¹_ **Dr Michael Mossman, Emily McDaniel, and Jack Gillmer-Lilley** Australia's first all-Indigenous curatorial team. A sensorial pavilion centred on a circular rammed-earth structure, exploring Aboriginal knowledge systems and sustainable design through yarning practices and cultural exchange.¹ **Key Features:** First Nations-led approaches to sustainability with net-zero carbon emissions and material circularity on an international stage. Participatory opportunities use materials from Venice to show respect for the land. → **[ArchDaily Coverage](https://www.archdaily.com/1023165/australia-pavilion-explores-indigenous-knowledge-systems-for-venice-biennale-2025)** --- ## Darlington Public School — fjcstudio  _Fig. 9.2: Darlington Public School by fjcstudio, World Building of the Year 2024.²_ **World Building of the Year 2024** Transformative school redevelopment that sets a global benchmark for Indigenous engagement in educational architecture. Deep collaboration with First Nations Elders and community throughout.² **Engagement Process:** Design centred on the Connecting with Country framework, with extensive consultation involving an Aboriginal Art Group. Preserved and recreated murals feature alongside totems by Uncle Neil Thorne, QR codes linking to cultural narratives, and integrated Indigenous plants and learning spaces. → **[fjcstudio Project](https://fjcstudio.com/darlington-public-school)** --- ## North Head Viewing Platforms — CHROFI with Bangawarra  _Fig. 9.3: North Head Viewing Platforms by CHROFI with Bangawarra create gathering spaces for ceremony and teaching.³_ **AIA National Nicholas Murcutt Award winner** Viewing platforms on Car-rang-gel (North Head) designed in collaboration with Indigenous design specialists. Create gathering spaces for ceremony and teaching.³ **Design Approach:** Platforms Burragula and Yiningma are sensitively integrated into the landscape, with stone pavers and seating carved from solid stone. Natural landforms are traced with subtle cultural references, and discovery-based learning is embedded in the design. → **[CHROFI Project](https://www.chrofi.com/projects/north-head-viewing-platforms-duplicate)** --- ## Koorie Heritage Trust, Federation Square — Lyons Architecture with IADV  _Fig. 9.4: Koorie Heritage Trust at Federation Square, the first stand-alone First Nations cultural institution in an Australian capital city CBD.⁴_ First stand-alone First Nations cultural institution in an Australian capital city CBD. Designed through deep listening and collaboration with Koorie communities.⁴ **Cultural Integration:** Features a custom 7.5-metre Canoe Table with references to 38 Victorian language groups, reconnecting the site to the Birrarung (Yarra River) and placing Indigenous culture at the heart of Melbourne's cultural precinct. → **[Lyons Architecture](https://lyonsarch.com.au/projects/koorie-heritage-trust)** --- ## Gathering Space: Ngargee Djeembana — N'arweet Carolyn Briggs AM and Sarah Lynn Rees  _Fig. 9.5: Gathering Space: Ngargee Djeembana explores First Nations philosophical knowledge in public space design.⁵_ A topographical installation exploring how First Nations philosophical knowledge can influence public space design. Materials indigenous to Victoria represent Country and place. **Boonwurrung Concepts:** - **Ngargee** — Visual arts, performance, story and dance coming together - **Djeembana** — Diversity within community Demonstrates how Indigenous design thinking can reinforce place, stories, and identity through materiality.⁵ → **[ACCA Exhibition](https://acca.melbourne/whos-afraid-of-public-space/onsite/gathering-space-ngargee-djeembana/)** --- ## Kaunitz Yeung Architecture — Multiple Indigenous Community Projects  _Fig. 9.6: Kaunitz Yeung Architecture projects include the Puntukurnu AMS Healthcare Hub and Wanarn Clinic.⁶_ **Union of International Architects Vassilis Sgoutas Prize winner** Extensive work with 40+ Aboriginal communities using iterative co-design to ensure sustained community engagement.⁶ **Notable Projects:** Puntukurnu AMS Healthcare Hub and Wanarn Clinic (featuring art screens by local artists), both responsive to community needs and delivering culturally appropriate outcomes. → **[Kaunitz Yeung](https://www.kaunitz-yeung.com/)** --- ## In Absence Pavilion — Edition Office + Yhonnie Scarce  _Fig. 9.7: In Absence Pavilion, the 2019 NGV Architecture Commission, challenges the fallacy of Terra Nullius.⁷_ **NGV Architecture Commission 2019** A 9-metre-high black timber cylindrical pavilion. Invites audiences to understand the fallacy of Terra Nullius by celebrating over 3,000 generations of Indigenous design, industry and agriculture.⁷ **Symbolic Elements:** The form evokes traditional eel traps and permanent dwellings, while the central void represents the false absence claimed by colonisation. 1,600 hand-blown black glass yams by Yhonnie Scarce challenge colonial narratives of nomadic peoples. → **[NGV Exhibition](https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/2019-architecture-commission/)** --- ## Walumba Elders Centre, Warrmarn — Iredale Pedersen Hook  _Fig. 9.8: Walumba Elders Centre serves as a focal point for community healing and transmission of Gija lore, language, and culture.⁸_ **Architizer A+ Award winner** Raised 2.4 metres for flood protection. Serves as focal point for community healing and transmission of Gija lore, language, and culture.⁸ **Resilience & Culture:** Form and materials respond to cultural and environmental needs, supporting community resilience following devastating floods and enabling cultural continuity through architecture. → **[Iredale Pedersen Hook](https://www.iredalepedersenhook.com/)** --- ## Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo — Y2 Architecture  _Fig. 9.9: Ulumbarra Theatre transforms the 1860s Sandhurst Gaol into a performing arts centre.⁹_ Adaptive reuse transforming 1860s Sandhurst Gaol into 1,000-seat performing arts centre. Close collaboration with Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owners.⁹ **Community Process:** - Name 'Ulumbarra' (meaning 'meeting place') chosen through community consultation - Maintains connection to both site's history and future as vibrant community hub → **[Y2 Architecture](https://www.y2architecture.com.au/ulumbarra-theatre)** --- ## Wilcannia Health Service — Merrima Aboriginal Design Unit  _Fig. 9.10: Wilcannia Health Service reconnects a colonial-era hospital with the Darling River while respecting cultural memory.¹⁰_ **NSW AIA Blacket Award winner** Redeveloped a colonial-era hospital for the Barkinji people. Created new in-between spaces that reconnect the site of healing with the Darling River whilst respecting family associations and cultural memory.¹⁰ **Design Philosophy:** Prioritises how 'in-between' spaces are conceived, reconciling person and place, community and Country. Respects the complex colonial history while creating a renewed place of healing connected to river and culture. → **[Architecture Australia](https://architectureau.com/articles/wilcannia-health-service/)** --- ## Brambuk Cultural Centre, Halls Gap — Gregory Burgess Architects  _Fig. 9.11: Brambuk Cultural Centre, a pioneering project where the architect camped on-site with Traditional Owners.¹¹_ **Pioneer in Indigenous collaboration** The architect camped on-site with Jadawadjali and Djab Wurrung people to develop design as living cultural centre rather than static museum.¹¹ **Engagement Approach:** The undulating roofline echoes the Grampians ranges and the cockatoo totem. Five Koorie communities were involved in design and construction, using local materials and labour. It remains a vital place for cultural exchange. → **[Gregory Burgess Architects](https://www.gregoryburgess.com.au/)** --- ## Common Themes Across Projects These projects share key characteristics: | Theme | Description | | ----------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | | **Early engagement** | Traditional Owners involved from inception | | **Indigenous leadership** | Communities lead design decisions | | **Cultural integration** | Indigenous knowledge embedded in design | | **Long-term relationships** | Ongoing connections beyond project completion | | **Recognition & attribution** | Indigenous contributions properly acknowledged | | **Place-based design** | Architecture responds to specific Country | --- ## References ¹ Creative Australia. "HOME: Australia Pavilion at Venice Architecture Biennale 2025." ² World Architecture Festival. (2024). "Darlington Public School — World Building of the Year 2024." ³ Australian Institute of Architects. "North Head Viewing Platforms — Nicholas Murcutt Award 2024." ⁴ Lyons Architecture. "Koorie Heritage Trust." [https://lyonsarch.com.au/projects/koorie-heritage-trust](https://lyonsarch.com.au/projects/koorie-heritage-trust) ⁵ Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. "Gathering Space: Ngargee Djeembana." [https://acca.melbourne/whos-afraid-of-public-space/onsite/gathering-space-ngargee-djeembana/](https://acca.melbourne/whos-afraid-of-public-space/onsite/gathering-space-ngargee-djeembana/) ⁶ Union of International Architects. "Vassilis Sgoutas Prize — Kaunitz Yeung Architecture." ⁷ National Gallery of Victoria. "In Absence: 2019 NGV Architecture Commission." [https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/2019-architecture-commission/](https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/2019-architecture-commission/) ⁸ Architizer. "Walumba Elders Centre — A+ Award Winner." ⁹ Y2 Architecture. "Ulumbarra Theatre." [https://www.y2architecture.com.au/ulumbarra-theatre](https://www.y2architecture.com.au/ulumbarra-theatre) ¹⁰ Architecture Australia. "Wilcannia Health Service." [https://architectureau.com/articles/wilcannia-health-service/](https://architectureau.com/articles/wilcannia-health-service/) ¹¹ Gregory Burgess Architects. "Brambuk Cultural Centre." --- ## Next Steps Continue to **Chapter 10: Your Path Forward** for actionable next steps and ongoing commitments for Indigenous engagement in your practice.