The building story: Architecture and inclusive design in remote Aboriginal Australian communities

Abstract:

Inclusive design in architecture describes an approach that aims to encourage broad participation in design decisions. In Australian Aboriginal communities the practice of inclusive design is challenged by a complex policy environment, by language barriers, by cultural differences, by economic disadvantage, by time and by distance. The importance of inclusive design in Aboriginal communities is heightened because of these challenges. Here, architectural projects - regardless of the building typology - are not simply about new buildings. They carry with them the added burdens of addressing health, employment and equity in disadvantaged and often marginalized places. Through the experiences of a small Australian architectural practice working with Aboriginal people in Central Australia, this paper will look at established paradigms of designing with Aboriginal communities and posit the notion of 'storytelling' as a methodology of design practice and reconciliation.