Guided by curatorial committee Sarah Lynn Rees, Carroll Go-Sam and Dillon Kombumerri, the Melbourne edition of The Architecture Symposium 2025 explores best practice when designing for First Nations clients, communities and Country through the presentation of ten projects.
Scheduled for 21 November at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre's Clarendon Auditorium in South Wharf, the symposium will feature 13 speakers reflecting on their work and experiences. The event will also examine how the industry is faring in terms of education, advocacy and policy making.
The symposium comes at a time of growing momentum to integrate Indigenous perspectives into architectural thinking and practice. In recent years, a wave of built projects has demonstrated increased collabotation with First Nations communities and a stronger focus on the inclusion of Indigenous histories and knowledge. The program provides an opportunity to take a pulse check on the profession's progress - considering how far the industry has come, and how far it still has to go.
Projects to be presented include the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence by ARM Architecture; the UTS National First Nations College by Greenaway Architects; the Glen Waverley Civic Precinct by Winsor Kerr; the Blacktown Native Institute Masterplan Reference Design by COLA Studio; Mari-Mari-Ba by Deicke Richards; Djarragun College by People Oriented Design; Nungalinya by Incidental Architecture; and the Ieramugadu School Redevelopment, Roebourne by Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects.
These project reflections will be complemented by a series of focused discussions, including:
The Architecture Symposium is a Design Speaks program organised by Architecture Media and supported by premium partners Bondor Metecno, Vicostone and Planned Cover, and hotel partner Ovolo South Yarra. More information and tickets can be found on the Design Speaks website.
