Meaningful conversations about thoughtful design
Designing with Country looked at the translation of First Peoples’ knowledges and culture into architecture, landscape architecture and the urban realm and how this is shaping our built and natural environment.
Hosted by the RMIT Architecture and Urban Design Yulendj Weelam Lab, the lively panel discussion has become an annual event as part of Open House Melbourne. It aims to encourage meaningful conversations to unpack how architects and built environment professionals can work together with First Peoples to ensure we are designing respectfully and thoughtfully with, and on, Country.
“This series focuses on what our future built environments might look like when we responsibly engage with and support First Peoples voices, knowledges and perspectives,” explained Dr Christine Phillips, Senior Lecturer in Architecture in the College of Design and Social Context (DSC) at RMIT, and member of the Yulendj Weelam Lab.
“The idea came about from conversations we had been having with several prominent First Peoples Elders and knowledge holders which we felt should be shared more broadly within a public forum.”
“Attendees were treated to a lively conversation between two Indigenous knowledge holders currently working within the built environment and two non-Indigenous design practitioners and academics.”
Dr Jock Gilbert, Lecturer in Landscape Architecture in the College of Design and Social Context (DSC) at RMIT, and member of the Yulendj Weelam Lab said it was important for the community to build a deeper understanding of the land which we live on, in order to develop a sense of identity and home, and engaging with First Nations’ perspectives was a pathway to developing this sense of home/
“Our First Nations people have developed that sense of deep home over perhaps 100,000 years,” he said.
“This is an extraordinary achievement which holds lessons for all – lessons that we have a responsibility to grapple with and learn.”
RMIT opening its doors
The University will be opening its doors to the public as part of Open House Melbourne 2024. As one of Melbourne’s oldest institutions, and with a long list of alumni in the architecture and design space, RMIT continues to play a central role in the look and feel of Melbourne.
