Jarrod Reedie
A recent report conducted by Arcadia has revealed that in order to end the colonisation of spaces, Australian architects must move towards an Indigenous-led Country-centred design approach.
The report, titled Shaping Country: Cultural Engagement in Australia’s Built Environment, identifies the need to significantly grow meaningful representation from First Nations knowledge holders on major projects, while breeding an industry-wide culture of striving to exceed design guidelines and legislation, rather than the cultural ‘box-ticking’ approach which persists today.
The report aligns with the 2021 NAIDOC Week theme ‘Heal Country!’ and saw the practice collaborate with Budawang/Yuin researcher and spatial and cultural designer Dr Danièle Hromek and Yuin woman Kaylie Salvatori, Arcadia’s Indigenous Landscape Strategist.
Jarrod Reedie
Entering its tenth year of operation, Sydney-based practice Arcadia Landscape Architecture has consistently looked to evolve its designs, placing outdoor spaces front and centre in the built environment, while placing emphasis on collaborating with First Nations peoples.
Founded by Principal Alex Longley and Director Michael Barnett, Arcadia has grown from a team of two to a team of 49 that spans across three studios located in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
Arcadia has worked on nearly 900 projects in a ten year period, creating and honing a holistic design strategy that nurtures and celebrates human experience and Connection to Country. It’s key projects include large-scale infrastructure and public spaces such as the University of Sydney’s Susan Wakil Health Building, Cbus Property’s Newmarket precinct and Sydney Metro’s Barangaroo Station.
U of T is getting a new Indigenous amphitheatre and medicinal gardens
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A new Indigenous space at the University of Toronto s downtown campus will include an amphitheatre, gathering and teaching spaces along with gardens.
The Indigenous space, at the heart of the St. George campus on Hart House Green, will include landscape designs with medicinal gardens, Indigenous trees and cultural markers offering information on residential schools, treaties and the burying of Taddle Creek, which once snaked through the area, according to the University of Toronto.