Description

The notion of Country is fundamental to Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and designing. Yet, as architects and landscape architects increasingly seek to engage with this concept, the question remains: what is Country? How do diverse Indigenous communities across Australia define and relate to it? And how might a deeper understanding transform contemporary design practices?

What's On

This year’s Designing with Country discussion invites you to explore these questions with leading Indigenous thinkers Owen Cafe and Leila Gurruwiwi, in conversation with Jock Gilbert and Christine Phillips from the Yulendj Weelam Lab (RMIT School of Architecture & Urban Design).

Together, they will unpack the complexity and richness of Country, offering insights into its meaning, relevance, and potential to shape a more culturally responsive built environment.

Designing with Country is presented by Melbourne Conversations in partnership with program curators Open House Melbourne and event partner Fed Square.

Speakers

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  Leila Gurruwiwi—Agency Projects

  Leila is a proud Yolngu woman of the Galpu Clan from Northeast Arnhem Land, with years of experience as a cultural awareness advocate, media personality, and mentor. Currently working in arts and public programming at Agency Projects, she is also co-producing a documentary about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fashion designers.

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  Owen Cafe—Blaklash

  Owen Cafe is a proud Whadjuk–Pindjarup person and principal landscape architect at Blaklash. His work is grounded in a commitment to social, ecological and cultural justice, and using design as a tool to foster meaningful connections to Country. He also teaches at several Australian universities, and works to embed Indigenous perspectives into design education.

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  Co-hosted by: Christine Phillips + Jock Gilbert—Yulendj Weelam Lab

  Christine Phillips is a non-Indigenous registered architect and Associate Professor from the RMIT Architecture Program.
  
  Jock Gilbert is a non-Indigenous registered landscape architect and Senior Lecturer from the RMIT Landscape Architecture Program.
  
  Christine and Jock co-lead the RMIT Yulendj Weelam Lab with Boon Wurrung Elder N'arwee't Professor Carolyn Briggs AM and Barkandji Elder Aunty Sophia Pearce.