ONE JOURNEY TWO SITES
ACROSS COUNTRY
Sharing Knowledge to Anticipate & Adapt For a Sustainable Future
CONTENTS PHASE ONE Acknowledgment of Country Conceptual Framework KNOWLEDGE Prototype + Protocol: Fish traps and Sovereignty Indigenous and Non Indigenous Case-study: The Brewarrina Fish Traps ANTICIPATE Early Stages: Locality + River Ecology + Dreamtime The Context of Now: History + Impact of Colonisation KNOWLEDGE + ADAPTATION Construction + Function Contextual Influence on Design Purpose + Method RELATIONSHIP + SUSTAINABILITY Community, Country, Human, Non Human Sustainable Development Goals
PHASE TWO KNOWLEDGE Conceptual Framework Dreamtime and Oral Histories Site Analysis Macro Ambitions Historical Analysis Precedent Analysis
ANTICIPATION + ADAPTATION Stakeholders: Human and Non Human Metabolic Diagram Micro Ambitions Site Mapping Spatial Planning RELATIONSHIP + SUSTAINABILITY Site Plan The Eco Social Forum Tactility, Connection and Treatment The Ring: An Anchor the Eco Social Forum The Maker Space The Research Lab and Water Treatment Facility The Nursery The Accommodation Fostering Human and Non Human Connections The Pavilions Boathouse Bird Tower Recycle Facility and Mud Mobile Landscape and Materiality Non representational Media Appendix Site Images and Model Making Process
‘They traveled along the rivers all through Country.’1
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY For generations, the traditional custodians of Brewarrina have lived an abundant and sustainable lifestyle. We acknowledge Ngemba, Ualarai, Murrawarri and Kamilaroi peoples, among others, and pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging for their ongoing care of these lands and waterways. The traditional owners of the Cooks River have thrived within the many reaches of the river ecosystem for thousands of years. We recognise this land has, is and always will be Aboriginal Land and acknowledge the Wongal, Gameygal and Cadigal peoples, and paying respect to all Elders past, present and emerging who continue to coalesce and engage with the lands and waters. On these lands, we recognise the changing and evolving nature of Country and the ways in which local First Nations communities and ecologies have responded and adapted to these changes throughout time. We acknowledge that Country is a living, breathing entity with an enduring Spirit that informs the environment we design with now and into the future.
PHASE ONE RESEARCH FISHTRAPS Prototypes + Protocols Case Study: The Brewarrina Fish Traps
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK Knowledge to Anticipate Adaptation for a Sustainable future Knowledge is generational, told through stories and built on the experiences we have as a result of the relationships we create. Relationships with each other and the environment, living and non living, local and global. Knowledge is developed in the context of now, built on the moments of yesterday to anticipate and adapt for the tomorrows and a sustainable future.
First Nations Mapping of the Formation Countries Surrounding of the Murray Darling Basin
KNOWLEDGE PROTOTYPE: FISHTRAP
fish-traps (noun)
structures designed to limit or redirect waters flow to impede the movement of fish.
FISH TRAPS Site Specific vs. Portable Apparatus
Fishing and hunting are two of the most pervasive industries of Indigenous Peoples throughout the world since the Mesolithic. The fish trap typology can be broken up into two distinct modes of architectural intervention. The first being fishing via Portable Apparatus. All the world’s peoples have at some stage utilised portable technology for fishing via spears, poisons, hooks, nets and traps. The second is a more Site Specific approach where traps take advantage of natural features such as a split, promontory or narrows, within bodies of water. Constructed from a range of local available materials (wood, woven plant material, saplings or stone), these traps aim to disrupt and restrict the movement patterns of fish. More often then not these more grounded traps were supported by the intervention of the portable apparatus or the captors movements to coerce fish into their midst.
Site Specific passive enclosures that limit fish movement eg. Weir Stone Wall Fences
Portable Apparatus portable traps used to aid capture eg. Funnels Baskets Nets Spears Poison
INDIGENOUS FISH TRAPS Around the Globe
Bergschenhoak, Holland
Blackwater Estuary, Essex
woven material and timber
stakes
5000BP
5000BP
Boylstone Street Boston Fish weir
Brewarrina Fish Traps
stakes and woven material
stones
2500BP
6000BP
There is great diversity in the design and use of Indigenous fish traps across different aquatic environments, such as-river systems, estuaries and coastal areas, where design and materiality has been contextual to the local environment and resource availability. Rock and earth work traps although effective and durable, were not dominant technologies due to their weight density, being reliant on the site and unable to be moved. Traps constructed from timber and woven material, on the other hand, were more common due to their portability and ease of construction, however comparably have not stood the test of time.
KNOWLEDGE PROTOCOL: FOOD SOVEREIGNTY
food sovereignty (noun) ...a food system in which the people who produce, distribute, and consume food also control the mechanisms and policies of food production and distribution
INDIGENOUS FOOD SOVEREIGNTY Connection To Country
...Not just focused on rights to land, food and the ability to control a production system, but also responsibilities to culturally, ecologically and spiritually appropriate relationships with elements of those systems. Reciprocal relationships between people, environment and all matter, which emulate respect are foundational to food sovereignty; “rather than asserting rights over particular resources as a means of controlling production and access.”2
In Aboriginal and Tores Strait Islander Cultures, Country encompasses all aspects of life, nature, language, stories, games, music, designs and ceremony for all living and non-living beings. It is a unique chain of being at the intersection of Cultural Identity, Relationships, History and Connection to Land and Water. In this way, Indigenous people engage in sustainable living, especially in terms of food hunting and gathering. As custodians of the land, a ‘take
only what is needed approach’
is utilised to ensure sustainable, natural ecosystems - allowing ecologies to continue to thrive long term. Touching the earth as lightly as possible to ensure the natural continuance and good health of Country.
A holistic understanding of the relationship between all living things 3
KNOWLEDGE CASE STUDY: THE BREWARRINA FISHTRAPS ‘It’s a powerful and spiritual place that.’4
Figure: Charles Kerry, A glass-plate negative of the fish traps dating from 18801923. Photograph: Powerhouse Museum Sydney, https://collection.maas.museum/ object/32482
The Brewarrina Fish Traps or Ngunnhu are located in township of Brewarrina, northern New South Wales. Estimated to be over 40,000 years old, these structures occupy four hundred metres of riverbed on the Barwon River, an arm of the complex Murray-Darling Basin. The traps are of great significance to First Nations Communities and remain as the only functioning fish traps, from twenty one sites across the Murray- Darling region. The traps were included on the National Heritage List (June 2005, site Number 105788) (Australian Government 2008) and the State Heritage Register (August 2000) for the natural and cultural value the site has to the First Nations Peoples; past, present and emerging. This acknowledgment is extremely crucial in understanding the value of the site and structures, beyond a common reference, which draws focus to the site as a food source of physical and structural form.
ANTICIPATE THE CONTEXT OF TIME
Every moment in time sits in the context of now, with wisdom built on yesterday, in the anticipation of tomorrow.
EARLY TIMES FORMATION
The Murray-Darling basin covers 14% of the Australian continent and its three largest rivers (Murray, Darling and Murrumbidgee) in total stretch over 6900km.
The Murray-Darling Basin is an expansive system of rivers and estuaries starting in southern Queensland. Most fish species are recorded in the lowlands of the basin where the landscape is flat and rivers are slow-moving and meandering.5 Generally slow moving rivers are preferred for traps and weirs, as fast moving streams tend to damage structure too easily. Choke points are used to restrict fish movement, such as tributaries and anabranches or in relatively low shallow sections of the main river bed. The Barwon, and Upper Darling (for which Brewarrina is located) cuts through an extensive low-relief alluvial plain. The areas of low relief are mainly in the form of isolate rock outcrops and ancient weathering surfaces of siltcrete dating back to over 250million years during the Paleozoic.
The Barwon River as it intersects and wraps around the township of Brewarrina, developing radially from the river over time.
DREAMTIME
For the Ngemba people, the Fish Traps have shaped and embedded spiritual, political, social, economic, symbolic and cultural values for First Nations people, not only across the region, but across the nation. “Complex architectural symbolism was a result of the preoccupation with cosmology (Dreaming beliefs) and cosmogony (the origin, the universe and our place within it.”6
DREAMING “Dreaming, is part of social, religious, political and economic life for Aboriginal people.”7In examining the fish traps it is important to identify both Aboriginal tradition through the Dreamtime Story of Baiame’s Ngunnhu and the structural form of the site. Baiame is known through Aboriginal oral histories as an ancestral creator of the land and therefore, this Dreamtime story is told by a significant local elder, June Baker. This is how the Brewarrina Fish Traps came to be:
“For thousands of years our Elders have told us many stories of how our country came to be. We have been told that in the beginning that there was just flat, red ground. We were told this was the beginning of our Dreamtime. Many things happened in our Dreamtime. We had been told that Baiame had entered the land of the moon and the sun. We had been told that Baiame on walkabout, took a giant step from Cobar to Gunadbooka, the sacred place of the Ngemba people. And then he stepped over to Byrock, where he left the mark of his footprint on a stone. And then he came here to Brewarrina. He stopped at the waterhole known as the Gurrungga... The sun was scorching our earth and our waters were shrinking. Our people faced a famine. If there is no water, there is no food. No animal life, our people could die. Baiame found out and he returned to Brewarrina with his two sons. Baiame and his sons were so strong and they scattered large stones and dug up boulders, setting them out into the pattern of a great fish net. This fish nets became our Ngunnhu… The rain, it poured down for days. The people watched as the water rushed into the Gurrungga, over the rock wall and covered Baiame stone fish traps; Ngunnhu. And when the rain stopped and the flood fell, the Hipi, the fisherman, saw the fins and mouths of thousands of fish in the water. They were so happy and they rushed into the river and drove them into the Ngunnhu... This is the story of how the Ngunnhu, Baiame stone fish traps came to Brewarrina. This is our Dreamtime story, about this special place where we sit here today.”8
HISTORICAL TIME LINE 1. Dreamtime - Baiame and his two sons scatter rocks over the banks of the Barwon river to provide food and water to the Ngemba people. A black belly fish and pelican carve out the river banks.
5. Cubbie Cotton Station has affected the frequency and consistency of the water moving through the Barwon riverIf the dam at the station doesn’t fill up, the water doesn’t continue to travel downstream causing social, cultural and environmental complications at townships downstream (such as Brewarrina). This ultimately rendering the fish traps unusable at times when water can’t reach the traps (stunting schools of fish and spawning) 2. The traps served the Ngemba community as a continuous source of food in everyday life. It brings together many thousands of Aboriginal People and Communities far and wide for ritual and social gathering around an abundant source of food 4. Colonisation makes its mark on the Barwon River as British pastoralists begin to work and take over the land. The removal of Indigenous Peoples from their country, the construction of the weir and fish stairs in Brewarrina damage not only spiritual and cultural connections but the water ecologies and reciprocal ecosystem.
3. Children stretch across the river and walk upstream to guide fish to enter the maze like traps. The traps remain the site of intergenerational practice, custodianship and care for country.
IMPACT OF COLONISATION
Arrival
Weir
Industry
The impact of colonisation has been far reaching and detrimental to local Indigenous communities surrounding the fish traps. Since the arrival of British colonisers in 1839, Communities have been separated from their land and by extension their culture, stories and practices.
not fill, no water continues back to the river system and the towns south of the station suffer. Years of drought and diverted water has had significant damage to the Barwon river ecology and the fish traps themselves; no water, means no fish and renders the traps useless.
The complex nature of Indigenous culture and kinship means memories and knowledge are often protected; held by persons who had the right to know such information. For this reason it is often difficult to access and understand knowledge about traditional landscapes, sacred places and ceremonial sites.
The influx of introduced feral animals and plants severely increased grazing pressure, leading to erosion, soil compaction and exposure of subsoil that doesn’t easily re-vegetate. Native flora and fauna that were of cultural value to Indigenous communities now have nowhere to grow.
In the case of the Brewarrina region this meant the arrival of pastoralists ushered in the transformation of the native landscape into agricultural land with many sites being wiped of their stories and cultural significance. In the case of the Fish Traps, the introduction of weirs and damming upstream to support agricultural industry meant the natural function of the traps, utilising the seasonal flow of the river and fish movement, was heavily impeded upon. As noted in personal communications with Ted Gordon, Cubbie Station, a cotton farm 250km NE of Brewarrina, is an example of this. Water traveling downstream is diverted to the station to fill a dam for irrigation. Cotton is a thirsty plant, therefore, the dam is of considerable size. If this dam does
In recent times, the controversial implementation of water embargoes during drought has caused conflicting public out cry from Indigenous communities members and farmers alike. On one hand many upstream are rallying for water to be made available for irrigation, at the expense of water not reaching downstream. Whilst on the other, the minimal water able to make it downstream is believed to be lost to evaporation. Water politics have continued today with the government continuing to make controversial snap decisions to lift and place embargoes, costing communities not only countless kilolitres of water, but immense damage to the natural flow of the river and its ecosystem.
THE MUSEUM
The Brewarrina Museum and Cultural Centre presents an interesting architectural condition on the rivers edge. The mound-like building is bound by a earth coloured colourbond door, at intersection between Indigenous and Colonial History; greeting you as you enter the metaphorical common ground. Owing to the tourism gained from the Heritage Protection of the traps, the ‘papier-mâché’ museum acts as a fascinating attempt at archiving and caring for the natural history of the traps and surrounding ecosystem via representation - most notably artwork and diorama .
Figure: Within the Brewarrina Museum Courtesy of State Library NSW, https://gather.sl.nsw.gov. au/digital-heritage/brewarrina-aboriginal-cultural-museum-interior-shop-second-dome
Figure: Within the Brewarrina Museum Courtesy of State Library NSW, https://gather.sl.nsw.gov. au/digital-heritage/brewarrina-aboriginal-cultural-museum-interior-shop-second-dome
Figure: Within the Brewarrina Museum Courtesy of State Library NSW, https://gather.sl.nsw.gov. au/digital-heritage/brewarrina-aboriginal-cultural-museum-interior-exhibition-first-dome
It’s difficult to unsee the irony of the a museum as intentional and safeguarded as this in the foreground of Brewarrina - even the original plans are under-seal.
SUMMER
The water of the Barwon river is never clear; but always a greyish-green hue, owing to the light coloured clays along its banks. During long periods of dry weather, a good deal of grey matter held in solution sinks to the bottom and the stagnant water becomes somewhat clear.9 In times of flood it is muddy and of slightly reddish shade, due to the storm water draining in from surface soils of that colour. Owning to this sudden change in the character of the liquid, the fish often flee due to a lack of oxygen in the water provided usually provided by the stagnant water taking in air from the roots of trees and plants. When such events happen often the communities will utilise upstream traps to capture fish before their sudden demise.
30 20 10 0
Jan
AUTUMN Feb
Mar
Apr
WET
WILDFIRE TIME
WINTER May
Jun
Jul
First Nations Calender
RISKY TIME
SPRING Aug
Sep
Oct
DRY
Native Fish Spawning
Seasons and months readily effect the traps and surrounding ecologies. A comprehensive knowledge of the rainfall, temperature, fish spawning and seasons ensured the effective use of the traps by communities. More so in recent times, dramatic weather events including drought followed by sudden floods, have resulted in rapid changes to the river environment.
Dec
BURNING TIME
Precipitation
IMPACT OF SEASONS Months & Seasons
TOO COLD
Murray Cod Silver Perch Mac. Golden Perch
sweltering
hot
warm
comfortable
cool
comfortable
warm
hot
Average Temp
BURNING TIME
IMPACT OF CLIMATE Years, Decades, Centuries
“About 100,000 to 45,000 years ago, A long period of dry lakes. The weather was rather cooler and drier than now About 45,000 to 33,000 years ago, Lakes were filled with freshwater, clear and overflowing. Strong westerly winds piled sand into dunes - Aboriginal Peoples were definitely in the area, in this period the traps are understood to have been built About 33,000 to 26,000, Lakes were filled with fresh water and were overflowing, this was the start of a major cold period - There was glaciation in the Australia Alps About 26,000 to 19,000 years, Lake levels were dropping and dunes with much clay mixed into the sand were formed About 18,000 years ago, A period of high water levels: The last period of dune formation About 17,500 years ago, Major drying of the lakes About 16,000 years ago, Most lakes were dry now About 15,000 to 10,000 years ago, Fairly dry conditions About 10,000 to 5,000 years ago Fairly humid conditions About 5,000 years ago, Conditions have become similar to what they are now”10 Above figures: Laila Haglund, “Brewarrina Shire - Community Base Aboriginal Heritage Study”. Pg 33
DRY
350
It is especially clear, when analysing sources over time, the gradual shift in climate has caused many ecologies to continue and adapt for example fish having adapted over time to salt water. But with a gradual decline in long term annual stream flow and a reduction in traditional custodians caring for the site, the future of the traps is contested. Above figures: Image Courtesy of Getty Images, “Life flows downstream: Locals catch fish and celebrate along the banks of the Barwon River as it starts flowing again after severe drought” Eliza McPhee, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8018477/Water-flows-Barwon-River-Brewarrina-battling-against-drought.html
250 200
Wilcannia
150 100 50 0
1900
1920
1940
1960
1980
2000
2020
30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0
Above figures: Crowns Water & DesignLaila Haglund, “Brewarrina Shire Community Base Aboriginal Heritage Study”. 33
Mean
Long Term Annual Trend
Annual Stream Flow ML x 1000 - BREWARRINA
The temperamental nature of the seasons and climate overtime has lead to long periods of drought most notable in the mid to late 2010s, followed by rapid flooding and wet seasons in 2021-2022.
Brewarrina
Burtundy
300
DRY
WET
Cease to Flow Days Days/ Years - DOWNSTREAM
HEIGHT = river is dry
KNOWLEDGE + ADAPTATION CONSTRUCTION + METHOD
Figure: Courtesy of Destination NSW, https://www.visitnsw. com/things-to-do/tours/brewarrina-aboriginal-cultural-museum-tour
“... the most elaborate and symbolic places could be dismantled and erased after one short use.”11
CONSTRUCTION Ngunnhu are a series of complex mazelike,engineered rock structures created through what is known as dry wall construction techniques and acknowledged as the most sustainable fish trapping systems across Australia. Dry stone wall construction is a traditional technique of stacking rocks with no mortar or adhesive materials. These wall systems usually have a batter (where the top is narrower than the base) aiding the stability, strength, efficiency of use and construction. Like Aboriginal culture, dry walling is the oldest technique in building construction and is transferable to any structural form given fidelity is applied to the design, environmental context and build process.
Their successful construction is built on a broad range of knowledge and skills, as “Understanding of engineering works (dry stone walls), river hydrology and fish ecology,”12 is essential to developing comprehension of the construction and method of the traps. Ethical construction and stewardship is highlighted through the use of natural, available materiality and sustainable construction techniques. In the case of Ngunnhu form, process and design allows for flexibility, as the river and its bed are fluid and continuously shifting, the wall (when constructed well) moves in conjunction with the ground, rather than against it, sustaining design and function.
CONTEXTUAL INFLUENCE ON DESIGN
Figure: Plan of fish traps: R.H. Mathews, published in his article ‘The Aboriginal fisheries of Brewarrina’, Diagram of the Ngunnhu or Native Fish Traps in the Darling River at Brewarrina, Royal Society of New South Wales 5 August 1903, pg 154, https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-756525252/view?partId=nla.obj756527403#page/n11/mode/1up
The Murray Darling Basin and its river systems (including the Barwon River), ““..have very low gradients over most of their length, which cause them to flow slowly as they meander across the vast inland plains, and to spread widely at times of food. Therefore, river “choke holds... anabranches and lagoons,”13 have had significant influence on the design and construction of the traps: allowing for great diversity across Country. The design of the traps “allows for operation in both high and low river flows.”14 with varying wall heights and sizes of trap catchments. “The rock structures at Brewarrina are not set out in a straight line, nor do they cover the whole width of the river. However, they do create a barrier to easy movement for fish across the main section of the river.”15
Figure: B. Hana, Courtesy of the NSW government, https://www. environment.nsw.gov.au/maritimeheritageapp/resources/Heritage/ shi/505/5051305b2.jpg
The rock walled traps located more centrally to the middle of the river are designed to allow the slow flowing river run, penetrating the lower lying formations. Closer to the bank, the traps are higher in order to combat use during flooding seasons. This change in the wall heights was an anticipated response to varying water levels and water flows at any given time. “Although passive devices, traps can enable the restriction of large numbers of fish with minimal effort once a trap is built,”16 without disrupting the flow of the river. Understanding fish ecology is essential in order to optimise the use of the traps across the seasons. The success of the traps is acknowledged by the Ngemba people, as being reliant on the wisdom and knowledge of Country and hunting practices alongside fish movement and behaviour. “To use it effectively you need to understand fish behaviour - movements, times of the year, impact of floods and seasonal changes in river levels.”17
Figure: Sue E Jackson, “Operationalising the ecosystem services approach in water planning: a case study of Indigenous cultural values from the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271508065_Operationalising_the_ecosystem_services_approach_in_water_planning_a_case_study_ of_indigenous_cultural_values_from_the_Murray-Darling_Basin_Australia
Figure: Isabella Harris, 2020
PURPOSE + METHODOLOGY
Figure: Detail of an 1890s photograph showing ancient stone fish traps, on display at the Brewarrina Aboriginal Cultural Museum, https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/archived/bushtelegraph/brewarrina-fish-traps/5452872
“It is about sustainable fishing.”18 Sustainability of life is embedded in the deep relationships between people and environment. Interconnected, woven and strategically constructed within the landscape the fish traps not only represent spiritual and cultural connection to Country, community and the Dreamtime, but have in contexts of time provided a food source for survival, life, as well as a social ecology for belonging. An ecosystem for living, where Aboriginal nations gathered with access to an abundant food supply.
Across the banks of the Barwon, each of the stone fish traps was traditionally delegated to respective communities residing along the river. This built an individual and collective efficacy of responsibility, custodianship and stewardship for Aboriginal people.
Figure: Ariel of the Brewarrina Fishtraps, Courtesy of SBS NITV, https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/ article/2021/11/26/first-nations-candidates-set-make-history-nsw-council-elections
The maze-like, meandering rock structures slow down the movement of the fish as they travel through and across the “various loops and dead-ends,”19 of the rock formations. Traditionally fish were herded into the traps through openings where rocks had been removed. Walking shoulder to shoulder through the water, Aboriginal people would create a barrier forcing fish into the traps. Once inside the traps, the rocks were replaced and the fish trapped for a short period of time. Here, they are more easily speared and captured to eat.
Figure: Isabella Harris, 2020
Figure: Henry King Collection, Original title ‘Photographs of Australian Aborigines, ca. 1870-1880 / Henry King’. https://gather.sl.nsw.gov.au/digital-heritage/photos-fish-traps
The construction and method of the traps, sympathetically speaks to the stewardship of the traps; without manual movement and use of the rock structures, fish were not caught and trapped. If the fish trapped were not required as a food source they were freed within a short window of time, with consideration to the oxygenation of the water within the trap and the survival of the fish in this space.20 This ensured lower kill to capture rates and continued breeding stock for future food supplies and species population.
Figure: Isabella Harris, 2020
In its current form, the fish stairs to the south of the river were designed and constructed to navigate the complications developed from the construction of the weir. Acting as a dead end, the weir abrupting stops river flow and fish movementthe stairs act as the only plausible way for fish to continue traveling along the river. Constructed of rocks, similar to that of the traps themselves, the stairs create an access point to allow fish to travel up and downstream, a connection to the now divided river sections.
According to observations by Damian Kelly, “...Aboriginal children today still catch fish by wading through the maze and easily catching fish that are moving slowly through the maze structure. In the past they would have used woven bags or nets, but these days the everresourceful children use cylindrical tree-guards made either from plastic or metal mesh”.21
Above figures: Image Courtesy of Getty Images, “Life flows downstream: Locals catch fish and celebrate along the banks of the Barwon River as it starts flowing again after severe drought” Eliza McPhee, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8018477/Water-flows-Barwon-River-Brewarrina-battling-against-drought.html
RELATIONSHIP + SUSTAINABILITY “Everything is somehow ‘alive’. Every rock, land form, plant and animal has its own consciousness, just as people”22
Country
Human
Community
Non Human
As ontological beings relationships are central to our existence and it is through these relationships, with and within spaces, with all matter, living and non living, each is nourished. The value of all relationships is of particular importance for Aboriginal people, who believe social and ecological relationships are interdependent, one in the same. The Brewarrina Fishtraps are a notable example of how Aboriginal architecture and engineered structures encode and intertwine cultural and social meanings.
STORY - COUNTRY “...there was no real difference between a person and an animal. Both were made of the same material as the earth. They were equals..” 23 Baiame Creation Story
The story of the Ngunnhu and their creation are embedded in the triangulation of the relationship between the environment, people and design. At their intersection, experiences of nourishment are enhanced through story and stewardship- the protection of culture and environment; knowledge and resources. The fishtraps, “an important location where the community elders can pass knowledge, language and songs and stories to the younger generation,”24 establishing intergenerational relationships and education. The traps culminate an advanced sense understanding and coexistence on Country - through soil, flora, fauna, weather and seasons.
COMMUNITY - RELATIONSHIP - ECOSYSTEMS
It is via community that culture is nourished and relationships are built. The dreaming story of Baiame shares the law and customs of the land. In this space, through these social relationships, Indigenous knowledge is shared; knowledge which is dynamic, adaptive and contextual. This social and ecological knowledge is relational and involves mutual nourishment, connectivity and respect; central to all relationships with living and non living matter.
Key attributes of fish traps are the ability to provide food for large groups with minimal effort and the ability to hold live fish as fresh food which is useful if a gathering occurs over several days. Hence, it is likely that gathering and ceremonial sites will often be associated with fish trapping. Similarly, other types of trapping structures are associated with gathering/ ceremonial areas; Lake Bolac, a known seasonal gathering site in relation to eel traps. Such gatherings were important for general social interaction as well as trading materials, tools through to marriage and sharing of intergenerational knowledge.
HUMAN - NON HUMAN - FLORA
The ecological knowledge of the Aboriginal people of Brewarrina is ethical. Stewardship of Country is evident through respect for nonhuman species and river ecology. In the case of The Ngunnhu this is evidenced through function and design.
Humans are closely linked to the traps as a source of food and ceremony, which is reliant on their respect for fish numbers and care for the traps. Within the traps fish are dependent on crustaceans, and crustaceans-plankton who both take sustenance from algae. All of these are sustained further through the availability, salinity and oxygenation of the water controlled through care for native flora and lad that aids the maintenance and good health of the ecosystem as a whole. In this way all living beings have a unique responsibility to be custodians of the landscape and waterways and perpetuate sustainable living and relationships. In order to have a sustainable fishing approach, it is integral for users of the Brewarrina Fish Traps to understand suitable targets and their inherit attributes. Through intergenerational knowledge and teaching, First Nations communities have, for thousands of years, had great connection and understanding of non-human behaviour.25 The Ngemba people study the movement patterns of varied fish species; how they move through trap areas and travel paths at different times of the year.26 Understanding seasonal migration and predictable behaviours, such as “returning to specific home sites on a regular basis for feeding or spawning”27 provides the user with a cohesive understanding of fish behaviour. With such knowledge of fish ecology, First Nations People have a cultural and spiritual responsibility of caring for Country (stewardship/reciprocal relationship), and providing an environment that harnesses sustainable fishing for future generations.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
‘A river is like a mirror; it reflects the care given by people whose lives depend upon it.’28 The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in conjunction with historical, cultural and ethnographic research, provide an in depth analysis of the Brewarrina Fish Traps.
The greatest learning from the case study of the Brewarrina Fish Traps, is that sustainable design is created at the intersection of understandings of knowledge, skills, contexts ( socio-cultural, environmental, spiritual), all which stem from reciprocal relationships. When relationships are not central, the opportunity for all (people ,nature and environments) to flourish is negated. The impacts are intergenerational and far reaching in our micro and macro environments “The water is an entity.”29 There is interconnected responsibility between land and water and people.”30 For the Ngemba people there is great sadness about the fish traps today. The fish traps, very much an anchor to their identity and life have been impacted by western social norms and environmental change, as a result of colonisation and marginalisation.
+
Reciprocal relationships which nourish
=
For a sustainable future
Respect for all ecologies, inclusive experiences with and within space for all to flourish
The Custodianship of the Ngemba people, the values of interconnectedness within the ecosystem and between Country, people and culture, is in direct conversation and reflected within the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The wisdom of Aboriginal people centralises the core value of relationships between all matter, living and non living. Where inclusivity is essential for all to flourish. There is an urgent need for a critical shift from capitalist venture and the value placed on objects to an emphasis on individual and collective experiences to build understanding and relational well being, in which all matter can flourish.. Health over wealth. Such a shift is needed to create a sustainable future for all ecologies, in our shared common space
“Our people look after the fish traps, but they are for everyone.”31
PHASE TWO COOKS RIVER COMMONS
Knowledge to Anticipate Adaptation For A Sustainable Future The intersection of relationships, history, cultural identity + connection to land & water
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK Knowledge to Anticipate Adaptation For A Sustainable Future The intersection of relationships, history, cultural identity and connection to land and water forms the conceptual framework of this design and draws on the insight of the previous study on the Brewarrina Fish Traps. The site in Brewarrina, has through time, provided nourishment of body, mind and soul; as a food source, spiritual reflection, gathering and identity for Indigenous people. A place of welcome, unity and inclusion. The Cook’s River once also was such a place for the Eora Nation. The vision of this design project, alongside numerous political and environmental movements, hopes to naturalise and rehabilitate the Cooks River, as cohabitable Country; a water sensitive city for a sustainable future, through the cohabitation of human and non human species. The conceptual framework of Knowledge, Anticipation & Adaptation and Sustainable Relationships, guides the design as a change agent to enable the river to heal over time and evolve as a living ecosystem. This design project therefore, focuses on the holistic nurturing of the river as a primary focus. In doing so, all life on land and below water will have the opportunity to flourish.
KNOWLEDGE
ANALYSIS HYDROLOGY GEOLOGY BUILT ENVIRONMENT SITE HISTORIES COLONIAL INDIGENOUS ECOLOGICAL
ANTICIPATION & ADAPTATION
STAKEHOLDERS + METABOLIC DIAGRAM COOKS RIVER VALLEY ASSOCIATION & COOKS RIVER ALLIANCE PRECEDENTS TENT EMBASSY AUTONOMOUS HOUSE ADDISON RD
SUSTAINABILITY & RELATIONSHIPS
INTERVENTION COOKS RIVER COMMONS MAIN FORUM RIVER WALK BIRD TOWER BOAT HOUSE RECOVERY CENTRE
KNOWLEDGE
The oral histories of Indigenous communities then, underpin the learning for today and tomorrow. Knowledge is created through opportunities to engage with and experience contexts of people and place. Knowledge is transformative to anticipate and adapt for sustainable relationships.
DREAMTIME & ORAL HISTORIES D’harawal DREAMING STORIES Guwarra and Goolay’yari THE WHALE AND THE PELICAN As local resident Lucy Simpson states, the Cooks River is “a place to think and reflect for a sense of grounding,”32 for the Wongal, Gameygal and Cadigal peoples, the Cooks River has developed and defined the surrounding Country, whilst embedding spiritual, political, social, economic, symbolic and cultural values for First Nations people. Much like the Brewarrina Fishtraps’ cosmology (Dreaming beliefs) and cosmogony (the origin, the universe and our place within it), the Dreamtime and oral histories of the Cooks River and its creation, formulate stewardship and relationships through teaching and knowledge of the Country.
“You feel a beautiful power and spirit and flow to it”33
- Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Nathan Moran “A very long time ago, in the very beginning of the Dreaming, after the Spirit Woman had returned to her home and left the two sisters, Waratah and Wiritjiribin to care for This Land, the two sisters became very lonely. They prayed constantly to the Miwa Gawaian, asking for companions to ease their loneliness. The Spirit Woman heard their prayers, and also the prayers from the Peoples of Another Land, where a great war was taking place. Using her special powers, she saw that the war could only result in the destruction of that Land. But she could also see, that with a little help, the People living in that Land could fill the prayers of the Two Sisters. Guwarra, a warrior of the Whale clan, and Goolay’yari, a man of the Pelican clan, were very concerned. They knew that their enemies were too strong, and would destroy them all unless they could escape from Their Land. Guwarra had been captured by the enemy, but had escaped and stolen one of their great canoes. He returned to his home only to find it destroyed and only Goolay’yari left. When Guwarra asked Goolay’yari where his People had gone, the Pelican had said that they were all hiding. He took Goolay’yari and showed him the massive cavern where the giant canoe was hidden, and told him to gather the women and children and hide them in the great canoe whilst he readied the it for a very long journey... Finally, the great canoe was ready for the journey, and Goolay’yari came to Guwarra and said that the women and children were safely hidden away. For a long time, Guwarra guided the canoe through storms of rocks, and storms of ice, and of fire, but still he continued without rest. Finally, when his beard had grown long, Guwarra saw This Land, and guided the canoe onto the sandy beach. Exhausted, Guwarra turned to Goolay’yari, and told him to get the women and children off the canoe whilst he slept,
and he laid down on the warm sand and fell asleep. Now, Goolay’yari had lied to Guwarra. He had not collected together the women and children and hidden them on board the giant Canoe. In fact, he had not even left the canoe, but had hidden nearby until Guwarra was ready to leave. Nor did he want to return to his home, he liked This Land, and he wanted to stay here. He was not afraid here. Whilst Guwarra slept, Goolay’yari carried a great rock into the canoe, and used it to damage it, then he wandered off to explore This land. Meanwhile, the two sisters, watching the arrival of the great canoe, came down to the beach and saw Guwarra asleep in the sand. They saw, too, the tracks of another being. Waratah and Wiritjiribin studied this strange person, so like them yet so different. They gathered food and medicine for him, and placed it beside his sleeping body, then they waited patiently for him to awaken. When Guwarra finally woke up, he saw these two women sitting nearby, he saw also, the food they had laid out for him. Thanking them he ate some of the food. “I am Guwarra”, he said. The two women were not sure what he said, but smiled at him, and giggled. Wiritjiribin pointed to Waratah. “Waratah.” She said. And Waratah pointed to Wiritjiribin. “Wiritjiribin.” She said. They both pointed to Guwarra. “I am Guwarra.” They said, together. Guwarra laughed and the two women laughed with him, and together they sat down and tried to talk to each other. But very soon he became worried, as he looked around the giant canoe, he saw that it had been damaged. And he could not find any sign of the women and children having been on board. He followed the tracks of Goolay’yari, as he walked across the sands, but lost them when they went into the trees. Guwarra returned to where the women sat, and asked them if they had seen Goolay’yari. They pointed to the tracks and shook their heads. When he had learned the language of the women, and they had learned enough of the language of Guwarra, to enable them to understand each other, he explained to the women about the war in his homeland, and how he had asked Goolay’yari to hide the women and children in the great canoe. He told them that he must return to collect the women and children, but he would come back as soon as he could. The women stayed with Guwarra whilst he repaired the great canoe, and although they were sad to see him go, he had promised them that he would return with the women and children of his clan. They were overjoyed that at last the Spirit Woman had answered their prayers, and they would have other people with whom to share This Land. When the time was right, Guwarra guided the great canoe in the direction of his homeland. Meanwhile, Goolay’yari wandered over This Land, marvelling at the beauty of it. He no longer worried about Guwarra, or about the women and children. He was happy to be safe. But pretty soon he became very lonely, and returned to the beach only to find that the great canoe had gone. He realised that Guwarra must have returned to his homeland to collect the women and children. Goolay’yari was distraught with guilt. He knew that if his friend Guwarra was to die, it would be his fault. He grew feathers, and a large beak in which he could store food, to enable him to travel the seas to seek his old friend. Guwarra, the Whale, never forgot his promise to the two sisters, and oftentimes he returns with the women and children to the sands of This Land, seeking the company of the two women who helped him so long ago. And sometimes, when a woman stands on the special headland and sings, the whale clans will answer her call, and come to visit This Land.”34
GEOLOGY
HYDROLOGY
Aboriginal Sacred Sites Sediment Types Edge Treatment / Conditions
Open Space - private an public Biome / Vegetation
RESEARCH METHODS A range of research methodologies were used to guide the conceptual framework and build authentic knowledge of the site, Indigenous histories and cultures, environmental understandings and relational engagement of human and non-human species. This included historical, scientific and environmental research, historical ethnographic oral histories, site visits, qualitative and quantitative data sets, alongside future focused reports such as the international United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the National GANSW Designing With Country Report and the local Green Way Project and innovative design solutions.
SITE ANALYSIS THE RIVER AS THE MAIN STAKEHOLDER The Cooks River Catchment, a 23km estuary is located in southeastern Sydney on the Country of the Eora Nation. This project stretches across the catchment to ensure a holistic approach to the rehabilitation of this significant waterway. A thorough understanding of geology, hydrology and land title of the river ecology, brings the design in part to whole, micro to macro, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3, 11, 14, 15 and the GANSW Designing With Country Report.
Geology focuses on the sacred First Nations sites, sediment types and edge conditions/treatments along the river. Evidence of various shelters, middens and fishing sites along the river highlights the significance of this site as a place of nourishment, protection and gathering for many Indigenous communities. Natural sediments such as peat, shale, sand and mud, which dominated the landscape, have been impacted by concrete and steel along the river edge due to urbanism and industrialisation. The impacts of such embodied materials on the river ecology, accompanied with chemical and waste dumping, has seen an extreme deterioration and death of the river as a living ecology. Some edge treatments along the system have attempted to naturalise the edge through the removal on concrete/steel and replacement of sandstone.
Hyd vegeta and changes seen th Captain
nd
drology focuses on politically charged public and private open space along the river and biome/ ation types of the ecology. Once encompassed by floodplain forests and sandstone vegetation forest d heath, the river is now wrapped in low-mid rise residential dwellings and industrial areas. Early s to the natural water course, sewage redirections and industrial chemical dumping in the 1900s, has he water quality of the river reach a “D” level classification far from the description from 1770, from n Cook, who defined it as a “fine stream for drinking water.” This is one of the lowest ratings possible and makes the Cooks River, the most polluted water system in the southern hemisphere.
LAND TITLE Introduced Boundaries Community spaces public and private forums
With extreme projected residential growth of Sydney,35 without future focused planning, the area remains vulnerable as a whole ecological system. This land was, is and always will be Aboriginal land of the Eora Nation, shared by communities with common values and respect for Country, exhibited in the lore. In the temporal space of now, contrastingly, the land is shared across a range of councils, each with various political, social and cultural agendas. Collaboration and unification is crucial to give life back to the Cooks River for all species.
PROTECT EXISTING HABITAT
CONNECT HABITAT IN CORRIDOR
ESTABLISH OLD WATERWAY CONNECTIONS
RECREATION
ECOLOGY
MACRO AMBITIONS - TRANSNATIONAL & REGIONAL
ACCOMMODATE ALL USERS
ESTABLISH NEW + DIVERSE INTERACTION OPPORTUNITIES
CONNECTING SURROUNDING ROUTES AND LOCATIONS
CULTURE
ACTIVE TRANSPORT
CREATE GREENER STREETS
LEARNING FROM FIRST NATIONS PEOPLES + LOCAL COMMUNITIES
PLACE-MAKING FOR COMMUNITY
ESTABLISHING LOCAL PUBLIC ART
MORPHOLOGY OF THE COOKS RIVER BURWOOD
20,000 YEARS AGO
CURRENT SHORELINE
The original New South Wales coastline stretched further than its current state, with the Cooks River being one of the three main arteries from the Pacific Ocean into the region. The main arteries included the Cooks River, Georges River and Hacking.
PRE-1788
INNE
WONGAL
With climatic change over time and ice ages, the sea levels began to rise, giving birth to Botany Bay and the shortening of the Cooks River System - this resulted in the change from freshwater to saltwater. During this time, mudflat, estuaries and heavy planting characterised the river ecosystem.
COOKS RIVER CATCHMENT
CANTERBURY
GAMEYG
GEORGES R COUNCI
GEORGES RIVER
HACKING RIVER
5,000 YEARS AGO At this time, The Cooks River was a freshwater stream, with great reaches. Indigenous communities thrived within the region using hooks, lines and spear to fish from canoes and cooking the fish on board.
ORIGINAL SHORELINE
1800’S As a direct result of colonisation, traditional custodians had their land taken and the surrounding river ecologies were exploited. Seeking to regain independence, Indigenous communities protested for the protectionprotection of their land. The most notable was that by Pemulway.
HIGH RISE RESIDENTIAL
RAILWAY
ER WEST
CADIGAL
BAYSIDE COUNCIL
SUGAR MILL
storm water
GAL
RIVER IL
BOTANY BAY AIRPORT
1900’S
storm water
Increased industry, specifically the introduction of the Sugar Mill, tanneries and airport, as well as attempts to dam the river have resulted in sedimentation, deforestation, river flushing and dredging. TANNERIES
NOW Today, the Cooks River is the known as the most polluted river in Southern Hemisphere. This is characterised by surrounding suburbia, apartments and rail which stretch along its course - the end of trip for rubbish, pollution and storm water in the inner west of Sydney. Bush regeneration attempts have been made by many volunteer groups across the un-unified council areas, a patchwork of attempts to help re-wild the river ecosystem. While many of these initiatives as well as government projects like the Greenway Project aim to revitalise the river system more needs to be done to unify the park lands and green spaces stretched across the river.
PRECEDENT STUDIES RESPONSE TO PROGRAM From these findings, precedents studies were undertaken, specifically studying community driven architecture which has catalysed passive, flexible land, collectivist intentions. 1) Challenging private ownership of Country, the Tent Embassy was a tool for activism, conveniently occupying government land to challenge the contest space that is Country and land. Nomadigoical in nature, the tents presented a flexible framework to address the changing needs of stakeholders with periodic renewal, designed to last only for as long as it was needed. Visibility of the domesticity of reality make the tent architecture more tangible and powerful as a gesture. 2) Autonomous House once stood on Cadigal Green; another example of experimental bricolage architecture catalysed by the community. A piece of indeterminate and dissident architecture, the house was in a state of constant flux over its lifespan. An improvisatory building that responded to the desires of students to create a building that produced its own energy, captured water, heat, treated its waste and fed its inhabitants. Most notably, the design maintained a hosting function for fair-like social forums, bringing light to counter cultural ideas in the 70’s like environmental sustainability. 3) The Addison Road Community Centre; Centre a modern example of the success of community driven architecture. An accessible community centre, Addison Road is a communal asset in an increasingly dense and expensive urban centre. Subsidised spaces provide an adapting community space that offers recycling, a reverse garbage shop, theatres, markets, a food pantry, workshops, art studios and a “youth of the streets” initiative. Such a space gives way for ecological research projects like the Urban Habitat tree; a hollowed out tree that addresses the need for more habitats that native mammals and birds need in the Australian climate following urbanisation and deforestation.
TENT EMBASSY, CANBERRA DESIGN INSIGHT: • challenging the ideas of the private ownership of country • architecture as a tool for activism • occupying contested space • nomadilogical - flexible framework for needs of stakeholders • periodic renewal - designed to last as long as needed • visibility of the domestic reality makes tent architecture more tactile
A TOOL FOR ACTIVISM
FLEXIBLE FRAMEWORK
VISIBILITY
PUBLIC OWNERSHIP
AUTON USYD
DESIGN I • bricol • passiv • indet archit • const impro • energ captu treatm • hostin forum • count •
collec
PASSIVE ENERGY STRATEGIES HOSTING COLLECTIVIST
ADDISON ROAD COMMUNITY CENTRE, MARRICKVILLE
NOMOUS HOUSE,
INSIGHT: lage ve solar strategies terminate and dissident tecture tantly developing / ovisatory process gy production, water ure, heating, waste ment, food production ng function - fair/social m ter cultural
ctivist action
COLLECTIVIST HOSTING COLLECTIVIST
IMPROVISATORY / BRICOLAGE
DESIGN INSIGHT: • an accessible community resource in an increasingly dense + expensive urban are. • subsidised spaces / • community owned space • urban habitat tree • food pantry, reverse garbage, theatres, workshops, art studio • youth off the streets, caretakers residence,
RECYCLING
HABITAT
SUBSIDISED SPACES COMMUNITY RESOURCE
ANTICIPATION & ADAPTATION
In order to anticipate a design which emulates a commitment between a number of social/political movements and volunteer groups dedicated to the caring for the river, as well as consideration for all species of this ecology, a deep analysis was undertaken to determine the relational integration of aims, purpose and needs for a sustainable future.
DESIGNING ON COUNTRY
In developing a holistic approach to re-imagining and rehabilitating the river ecology to support cohabitational relationships and consequent rehabilitation of the Cooks River, an analysis of human and non human stakeholders and their relationships,was undertaken to ensure that the river as a protagonist, was of central anchoring and all species were considered through relationships with and within this ecosystem. A linear representation of the relationships between humans (residents, researchers and creatives) and non-human stakeholders within and beyond this ecology, highlights the reciprocal relationships in which each group partakes. These relationships are represented through the horizontal and vertical lines, each subgroup, their roles and subsequent aims, needs and locality within the river ecology. The visual representation clearly identifies these interdependent relationships, such as, the Mudcrabs focusing on bush regeneration and clean up, requiring storage, nursery and equipment within the locality of shore based areas, relational to non-human species of the river, plants, trees, birds, bees and other fauna, which naturalise the river edges. This relational impact continues across all subgroups through knowledge bases and active response.
AIMS NEEDS
HUMAN AND NON HUMAN RECIPROCAL RELATIONSHIPS
ARTIST & CURATORS
RESEARCHERS
ecosystem research
water quality lab/ workshop - algae education facility accommodation
FIRST NATIONS PEOPLES
art & exhibition
traditional custodians
accommodation exhibition tin-sheds gallery
knowledge exchange forum variety of gathering spaces
LOCALITY
STAKEHOLDERS
HUMAN STAKEHOLDERS GROUPS
NEW TARGETS
local based
local based
local based
BRIDGE
DENSITY
DENSITY DENSITY
SITE
LOCATION
+
=
ROAD
AIMS
By analysing the various stakeholders and anticipating the potential interrelationships that should be fostered, including research, art and exhibition and First Nations communities, the concept of Commons was explored to address the needs of the community by offering a communal asset controlled by the stakeholders for the mutual benefits of individuals, groups and the ecosystem for human and non human species. A suite of architectural interventions were then proposed to address the overlapping needs to the River taking into account a number of main ambitions.
SITE
LOCATION LOCATION
NEEDS
LOCATION LOCATION
ROAD
ROAD
LOCALITY
ROAD
NON-HUMAN STAKEHOLDERS GROUPS
ROAD
SOIL
WATER
habitat for plants + trees nutrients
habitat + nourish ecosystem distribute nutrients
organic matter prevents exposure to pollutants
prevent exposure to pollutants naturalisation of edges planting
COUNTRY
lore knowledge ceremony
unification of all things, animate and inanimate
AIMS
THE MUCRABS
bush-regeneration & cleanup
THE MUDLARKS + THE FLOCK
litter collection
birdwatching module
rubbish recycling storage
river based
local based
CRABWALKERS
THE MULLETS
river clean up
NEEDS
RECREATION SEEKERS
raise awareness, community events
local community members
canoe boat shed rubbish recycling
forum print making accommodation
park lands river walk
river based
park based
local based
bird surveying
planting nursery regeneration workshop storage
FRIENDS OF EWEN PARK
LOCALITY
HUMAN STAKEHOLDERS GROUPS
EXISTING
shore based BRIDGE
BRIDGE
BRIDGE
BRIDGE BRIDGE
BRIDGE
DENSITY
ROAD
ROAD
ROAD ROAD ROAD
ROAD ROAD
ROAD
ROAD ROAD
NEEDS
AIMS
ROAD
ROAD
ROAD
MANGROVES & GRASSES
ROAD ROAD
DENSITY
DENSITYDENSITY
DENSITY
ROAD
LOCATION
LOCALITY
NON-HUMAN STAKEHOLDERS GROUPS
ROAD
DENSITY
LOCATION
LOCATION
LOCATION LOCATION
LOCATION
LOCATION
LOCATION
LOCATION
LOCATION LOCATION
LOCATION
SITE
SITE
SITE
ROAD
BEE’S + BUTTERFLIES
control salinity + water quality manage sedimentation
pollinate + decompose nutrients indicate water quality
naturalisation of the river edge
shelter - healthy habitat
BIRDS
BATS
pollinate (day) control pests oxygenate air
pollinate (night) control pests
shelter - healthy habitat nesting planting / trees
shelter - healthy habitat nesting planting / trees
OYSTERS + SHELLFISH
ALGAE + MACROINVERTEBRATES
filter + clean water prevent erosion
filter + clean water
naturalisation of river edge
naturalisation of river edge
SITE
SITE
SITE
METABOLIC HUMAN AND NON HUMAN
The Metabolic Diagram reflects the potential connections, relationships and overlaps between the human and non human stakeholders identified across the site. By analysing the ways in which the stakeholders come together, a unique agenda can be proposed for the rehabilitation of the ecosystem. Insight from an Indigenous communities regarding stewardship of Country and the interrelationship between all matter, a holistic approach is proposed to care for the ecosystem; one that seeks to break down barriers, to unify stakeholder and their objectives.
CO U
FIRST NATIONS PEOPLES
RECREATION SEEKERS
NT
RY
FRIENDS OF EWEN PARK
SO
GE I L OL OG Y ARTIST & CURATORS
THE MUDCRABS
MANGROVES+ GRASSES
W HY AT D E
RO R LO GY CRAB-WALKERS
OYSTERS + SHELLFISH ALGAE + MACROINVERTEBRATES
THE MULLETS RESEARCHERS
BIRDS + BATS
BEE’S + BUTTERFLIES
THE MUDLARKS + THE FLOCK
VISITORS CENTRE MICRO AMBITIONS
COMMUNITY CENTRE
COMMONS
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of good health and well being and sustainable communities are created through relationships, which ensure all ecologies, living and nonliving, in water and on land flourish. The greatest learning during the research in the knowledge and anticipation phases, was the cruciality of reciprocal and interdependent relationships of all matter on social, political, cultural and environmental levels. The micro ambitions of the project are: 1. Flexible Framework 2. Repair and Reuse 3. Prioritising the Ecosystem 4. Advocacy and Autonomy 5. Engaged Care and Reciprocal Relationships 6. Unification and Sustainability The human and non-human experience and respective impact is consistent across the ecology, whilst the geological and hydrological elements are interwoven throughout the design as represented diagrammatically
COMMUNITY CENTRE RIVER OUTPOSTS
RIVER OUTPOSTS
HUMAN NON HUMAN GEOLOGY HYDROLOGY
+
Reciprocal relationships which nourish
=
For a sustainable future
Respect for all ecologies, inclusive experiences with and within space for all to flourish
COMMUNITY COMMONS
A community centre and suite of pavilions are established to address the needs of both human and non human stakeholders, at the intersection of the sites geological and hydraulically makeup. The Commons is a flexible community asset where stakeholders interconnect with supplementary pavilions (made on site) stationed across the river to address and foster relationships between specific stakeholders.
1 ) FLEXIBLE FRAMEWORK
2 ) REPAIR & REUSE
3 ) PRIORITISE ECOSYSTEM
subsidised spaces improvisatory bricolage modular / repeatable structures
histories, colonial , indigenous, ecological social and spiritual oasis regeneration, re-wilding nourish reconciliation local recycled materials
access to river system framing issues related to the river bio corridor provide enhance habitat geodiverstiy - biodiversity
4 ) ADVOCACY & AUTONOMY guerrilla garden demur pemulway/ civil rights volunteers educational commons / commune forum - flat living a tool for activism
5 ) ENGAGED CARE FOR A COMMUNITY ASSET
6 ) UNIFICATION & SUSTAINABILITY
collectivist stewardship cyclical - providing for architecture is providing for people, non human, ecology and environment passing down, knowledge, inter-generational faster alone, further together
non-life - life continuance hosting bringing together parts of the river ecosystem - pavilions breeching boards of councils and suburbs mitigating change/ thresholds engagement
STAKEHOLDERS HUMAN + NON HUMAN
ARCHITECTURAL RESPONSE
MUD-MOBILE
BOATHOUSE
RIVER-WALK
mobile unit
river storage
recreation walk
HUMAN: collection of rubbish transportation of materials / pavilion kit of parts
HUMAN: storage collection of rubbish oyster and shellfish habitat
NON HUMAN: cleaning of river environmental cleansing to promote river flora and fauna
NON HUMAN:
HUMAN: circulation bike track capturing runoff naturalisation
oyster walls to purify water naturalised river edge for river quality, create habitats and stimulate soil
NON HUMAN: stops rubbish from entering river via netting environmentally friendly alternative to damaging the river edge
ALL + River Ecology
The Mullets + Oysters, Mangroves Shellfish & Algae
ALL / Recreation Seekers + River Ecology, Mangroves, Oysters
COMMUNITY CENTRE
RESOURCE RECOVERY
BIRD TOWER
main forum
rubbish collection
viewing tower
HUMAN: exhibition forum makers space / print making accommodation research, water lab, nursery
HUMAN: recycling return and earn collect goods for up-cycling
HUMAN: bird watching tower habitat workshop habitat monitoring
NON HUMAN urban habitat trees roof habitat considered architecture for animal use and navigation
Local Community / Friends of Ewen Park / Researchers / Artists + River Ecosystem
NON HUMAN: composting station vegetation renewal river cleansing to promote river health
ALL / Recreation Seekers + River Ecology
NON HUMAN: bird perching stations bird feeders open roof system- habitat urban habitat trees
Mudlarks / Flock + Bats , Birds, Bees, Butterflies
BRIDGE
ROAD
SITE MAPPING BRIDGE
A series of mappings were established to develop a considered architectural language of the Eco-social forum. Using two lines of mapping, identification of the man made and natural ROAD land formations around the site, placement of the project was defined by these elements.
ROAD
ROAD
ROAD
AXIS / ORIENTATION
ROAD
DENSITY
ROAD
Mapping one focuses on man-made axes, such as roads and bridges, to identify intersections and create anchor points relevant to the site. Such anchors highlighted areas of densities and positive/negative spaces and pressure points, informing the specific design placement on the site. Less dense or negative space was chosen to host the Eco social Forum connected to the macro ambitions.
BRIDGE
AXIS/ORIENTATION >INTERSECTION > ANCHOR > DENSITY > RELATIONSHIP
ROAD
LOCATION
INTERSECTING / AXIS
DENSITY
LOCATION
CIRCULAR TO LINEAR RELATIONSHIP RELATIONSHIP: CIRCLE PLACED AT ANCHOR AND REPEATED TO IDENTIFY DENSITY ROAD
LOCATION
DENSITY
Mapping two focuses on the open spaces around the main site. The process highlights the identification of public spaces,albiet politically charged, placement of planting and resulting organic formation. Such formations allude to a formal quality, that is represented in the design and when paired with the previous mapping, highlights a site that lacks the same spatial qualities of organic arrangement. LOCATION
As layered components, these mappings formulated the overall architectural language of the project design, part to whole, interior to exterior, micro to macro.
IDENTIFICATION >STUDYING PLACEMENT > ORGANIC FORMATIONS > DEFINING SPACE
DENSITY
L
IDENTIFICATION OF OPEN SPACE
LOCATION
PLACEMENT OF VEGETATION
SITE
LOCATION
ORGANIC FORMATION OF LANDSCAPING
COMMONS
COMMONS
COMMONS
COMMUNITY FORUM COMMUNITY FORUM MAKER SPACE
MAKER SPACE
CIRULATION
SPATIAL PLANNING
CIRULATION EXHIBITION
COMMUNITY CENTRE COMMUNITY CENTRE
MAKERS SPACE
RESEARCH COMMUNITY LAB
FORUM
RESEARCH LAB
WATER LAB
AME NIT Y
ACCOMODATION WATER LAB
AMENITY
NURSERY
AME NIT Y
ACCOMODATION
N TIO IBI H EX
HYDROLOGY HYDROLOGY
MAKERS
COMMUNITY SPACE FORUM
RESEARCH LAB
ON
REVERSE NURSERY GARBAGE
REVERSE GARBAGE
DISPLAY AMENITY
WATER LAB
CIR CU LA TI
CIR CU LA TI
Y LA SP I D
Y LA SP I D
RESEARCH LAB
EXHIBITION DISPLAY
ON
The diagrams show the forum’s spatial planning, taking the functions of community forum, commons and visitor centre and wrapping these functions RIVER OUTPOSTS RIVER OUTPOSTS in and around to create a circular permeable node, which begins as an inward gesture to the community forum/gather spaces, whilst signaling outward with the display of its inner workings. A conversation between interiority HUMANrelationships, and exteriority is a juxtaposition of state, HUMAN enhancing reciprocal NON HUMAN HUMAN These enhancing the connection from inside to outside, humanNON to non-human. relationships are enhanced by the designed spaces exaimed throughout. GEOLOGY GEOLOGY
WATER NURSERY LAB
NURSERY
REVERSE ACCOMODATION ACCOMODATION GARBAGE
REVERSE GARBAGE
COMMUNITY FORUM
COMMONS
VISITORS CENTRE
COMMUNITY FORUM MAKER SPACE REVERSE GARBAGE CIRULATION
NURSERY
EXHIBITION
WATER LAB RESEARCH LAB
ACCOMODATION DISPLAY
COMMONS
VISITORS CENTRE VISITORS CENTRE
VISITORS CENTRE CENTRE COMMUNITY CENTRE VISITORS CENTRE COMMUNITY
N TIO IBI H EX
RIVER OUTPOSTS STS
COMMUNITY FORUM COMMUNITY FORUM
AMENITY
ART
PRIVATE FORUM
ACCOMODATION
MAKER REVERSE SPACE GARBAGE
EXHIBITION
COMMUNITY FORUM
ART RESEARCH NURSERY WATER LAB
1:500 Concept Model
SUSTAINABILITY & RELATIONSHIPS
Sustainable design is created at the intersection of knowledge, skills and all contexts, which stem from reciprocal relationships. Sustainable design is embedded in critical insight, part to whole. It is the result of considered anticipation and adaptation for today and tomorrow.
THE ECO SOCIAL FORUM & PAVILIONS The project design is composed of a series of architectural programs; boathouse, river walk, recycle facility and bird towers anchored around an Eco Social Forum to build relational viability for the river ecology and develop a holistic approach to the state of the river ecology. These elements are repeated along the Cooks River and are relational in their principles, materiality and function. The site plan indicates the placement and relationship between the Eco social forum and other pavilions across and within the site.
BOATHOUSE
ECO SOCIAL FORUM
RIVERWALK
RECYCLE FACILITY
BIRD TOWER
THE ECO SOCIAL FORUM The Eco Social Forum, a community centre, aims to create a nest of diverse, interconnected programs which foster a culture of knowledge and relational trust amongst all who engage with the space.
1:200 Sectional Model
1:200 Sectional Model
TACTILITY, CONNECTION & TREATMENT The architectural division of programed space, was influenced by tactility, connection and materiality treatment. Wayfinding and experiences of nourishment within the design is founded upon these factors. Layering of tactile sensory experience through materiality and architectural form was foundational to the project design. Three distinct architecture elements are invoked: 1) the working zones, 2) flexible “kit of parts” modules; house subsidised working spaces and the ring; housing exhibition, amenity and circulation 3) as well as three distinct outdoor gathering spaces. From spatial planning an outward expression and spill out zones were established to create greater connection to the surrounding natural and urban context. Diversion of the existing path through and around the design, enhances circulation across the site, connecting communities via the design as a marker in the landscape. With a variety of architectural designed spaces, gathering areas/ampitheatre spaces and circulation routes, are provided with diverse “backdrops” for differing, yet distinct scenes.
LAYERING TACTILE EXPERIENCES
Various wall and floor treatments were employed for clear wayfinding and architectural expression, further defining and situating the program within its current context.
WORKING
EXHIBITION , DISPLAY, AMENITY, CIRCULATION
GATHERING
ARCHITECTURE & WAYFINDING
SPATIALITY, CIRCULATION + CONNECTION
OUTWARD EXPRESSION & SPILL OUT ZONE
WALLS kit of parts Rammed Earth Timber Shear Panel Polycarbonate Trellis
EXTERNAL FLOORS reused local materials Timber Battens Mesh / Perforate Steel Feature Coloured Concrete (Recycled Tile Aggregate)
INTERNAL FLOORS CONNECTING & DIVERTING EXISTING PATH
polished concrete aggregate Cast Oyster Shell Crushed Oyster Shell
ROOFS
modular roof system with skylights & trellis Timber Battens Colourbond Steel
DIVERSITY OF SPACES THAT BACKDROP THE ARCHITECTURE
THE RING AN ANCHOR OF THE ECO SOCIAL FORUM From the mappings and spatial planning, a circular envelope, known as The Ring, informs the placemaking of the site as an anchor, a central gathering space, which juxtaposes the rectangular and semi organic forms of the programs inside to create a defined, yet blurred boundary between the interior and exterior through proximity, function, wayfinding and materiality. Sustainable energy practices underpin the design through solar harvesting, rainwater harvesting and sustainable construction choices, including passive design and materiality. Four distinct zones are encompassed by the ring; maker spaces, accommodation/communal kitchen, research hub/ nursery and outdoor forums. Each of these zones will be examined in relation to their purpose and the design conceptual factors of knowledge, relationship and sustainability. The ring on ground, acts as a spill out space for the programs, circulation inclusive of ramp, amenity, mudrooms and viewing platform across the site and river. Extending out over the river edge, the existing circulation is intentionally diverted and guided through the structure along the grated platform. This space is also used as a performance/forum space for the ampitheatre.
1. Maker Space shop 2. Maker Space 3. Accommodation 4. Communal Kitchen 5. Nursery 6. Research Lab/ Water Treatment Facility 7. Mud Room 8. The Ring 9. Ramp 10. Forum 11. River walk 12. Public Amenity 13. Boathouse 14. Rain water collection
Ground Floor Plan
The three outdoor forum spaces are multipurpose ampitheatre spaces and draw on the educational value of knowledge sharing of the Indigenous communities, through yarning circles, performance and immersion in Country. Each space is framed by a unique component of the Eco Social Forum and backdrops the environment, making these spaces Cooks River “site specific.”
1:200 Sectional Model
1:200 Sectional Model
Sectional Perspective
THE NURSERY NON HUMAN: BIRDS, BEES, BUTTERFLYS, INSECTS HUMANS: GARDENERS, RESEARCHERS, STUDENTS, VOLUNTEERS
The nursery engages stakeholders, specifically the Mudcrabs, in the broader community through the propagation and provision of Indigenous flora and accessibility to gardening/regeneration equipment. Using the knowledge of First Nations people, researchers and expert volunteers, bush regeneration and habitat renewal, alongside water purification is enhanced. The nursery also functions as an educational centre for schools and the broader community. Reciprocal relationships are established through knowledge sharing and environmental nourishment for human and non-human species. The design encompasses public planting spaces, alongside outdoor designated native flora propagation planting spaces for specific project focuses. Indoor planting areas are also provided for plant research, potting and care. Sustainable practices are created through knowledge building, increasing diverse native vegetation choices and increased fauna representation. Stewardship of Country is established as a result of all factors.
THE LAB & WATER TREATMENT FACILITY NON HUMAN: WATER, MACROINVERTEBRATES, OYSTERS, SOIL, FLORA HUMANS: RESEARCHERS, CREATIVES, STUDENTS, VOLUNTEERS
The research facility and the water lab are focused on providing a unique, STEM based collaborative space for multi-disciplinary research to enhance and rehabilitate the environmental life of the Cooks River. These local research hubs will provide contextual data, knowledge, to ultimately enhance and protect the health of the river ecology and all species, creating a critical shift to the sustainable and future focused ecological life of this public space. Research gathered will be used to inform practices and initiatives at a micro and macro level.
THE MAKER SPACE NON HUMAN: BIRDS, BATS, OYSTERS, POSSUMS, OWLS HUMANS: ARTISTS, CARPENTERS, STUDENTS, VOLUNTEERS
The Maker Space is collaborative creative space that facilitates all human stakeholders, with potential to positively impact many non human species through the design and construction of products, to enhance the habitats and regeneration of the river. With a facility and respective tools to design and construct non human habitats such as, possum boxes and urban habitat trees, as well as the construction of the integrated design pavilions (boat house, bird tower and recycle pavilion), all stakeholders are able to contribute to the purpose of the centre and it’s impact. The space also harness the ecology through opportunities for creative processes such as drawing, painting and printmaking. Sharing of knowledge and skills related to printmaking, product design and carpentry establishes relationships between stakeholders, inclusive of First Nations People through the use of both indoor and outdoor spaces. These products develop sustainable practices to create shelters, and media to advocate for the ecology of the river. Such products may also be marketed and sold on site at the shop front, to create a returnable income for the centre, as a “non-for-profit” fund to support wild life care and draw community to the area.
ACCOMMODATION & COMMUNAL KITCHEN NON HUMAN: BIRDS, BATS, BEES, BUTTERFLYS, INSECTS, POSSUMS, OWLS HUMANS: RESEARCHERS, ARTISTS, VOLUNTEERS
On site accommodation is provided for researchers and artists within and outside the local community, to engage with and learn about the Cook’s River. The accommodation comprises of semi-private courtyards to facilitate interaction and relationships between occupants, whilst creating a sanctuary away from the public forums. Light filled and in close proximity to the river, the accommodation ensures participants are able to engage with the environment in an array of multisensory ways; physical, visual, aurally. The facility provides a communal outdoor kitchen for use across all programs within the forum. As an outdoor facility, engagement with Country is enhanced, emulating Indigenous culture. On site accommodation also reduces travel and carbon footprint of users.
DISPATCH KIT OF PARTS / PAVILIONS
TRANSPORT MATERIALS TO AND FROM MAKERS SPACE
FOSTERING HUMAN & NON HUMAN CONNECTIONS
TENSILE LINKS BETWEEN INTERNAL / EXTERNAL
A number of strategies have been employed within the forum design to foster deeper connections between human and non human species. The strategy of the overall ring of the design is to be a permeable gallery and exhibition space for the circulation of humans and non human species. Tensile netting in the upper floors creates a distinct experience for human and non humans alike specifically designed with 300mm x 300mm apertures for non human species to freely flow from surrounding habitats into the forum - also offering space to reside in the ceiling cavity as well as in hollowed out urban habitat trees within the design - interlinked via tensile links. The Lower Ring maintains a strong connection to the river edge via the river walk - a permeable link that has operable access panel and a stepped plaza where humans and non humans are able to interact. Micro habitat ponds and oyster walls are employed here to strengthen and fostering connections between human and non human stakeholders in close vicinity to research facilities and forum facilities.
LAND AND WATER VEHICLE
TENSILE NETTING / TUBE CEILING
URBAN HABITAT TREE
UPPER RING
The Mud-Mobile is another example of how the design seeks to foster connections between human and nonhuman species - connecting the main forums maker spaces with the remainder of the river ecology. It addresses the hydrology and geology of the site, tackling land and water to collect litter and transport material for recycling as well as dispatching pavilions to be constructed across the river.
LINK TO RIVER EDGE
OPERABLE ACCESS HATCHES LOWER RING
MICRO-HABITAT PONDS / OYSTER WALLS
Forum Axonometric
THE RIVER WALK & LINK The River Walk is an architectural link between the forum and pavilions. It creates a conversation between the indoor and outdoor spaces, connecting all stakeholders through an environmental presence and engagement of a bio corridor. Recycled materials create a sustainable alternative to the current pathways. The River Walk meanders over and close to the river edge, bringing together native fauna to the space and providing opportunities to integrate flora and human participants close to the boundaries.
Level 1 of The Ring is an elevated space, which houses a public gallery and exhibition space as a continuation of relationship building between the ground level form spaces and their users.
1. Gallery/Exhibition 2. Forum Space 3. Public Amenity 4. Planter box 5. Viewing Platform 6. Lookout
Level One Plan
Sectional Perspective
The gallery is composed of open and semi enclosed spaces to facilitate cohabitation between human and non- human species. The space engages the broader community providing opportunities for artists and creatives to share knowledge and advocate for the rehabilitation of the Cook’s River through creative conversations. Private forum spaces provide areas to reflect and engage in educational programs. These spaces are flexible, creating diverse formations through louvres and operable partitions. Both the gallery and forum spaces may be used by resident researchers, artists, and all community stakeholders. The surrounding landscape is inclusive of a playground and grandstand to the south east. The vision across the Eco Social Forum is to create embedded and dynamic community facilities within this urban space, integrating green and grey infrastructure to enhance interdisciplinary and cross sectoral collaboration.
The roof structure of The Ring facilitates reciprocal relationships of humans and non-human species, through observation, shelter and temporal habitats, specifically for birds, bats and possums. A tensile, netted structure spans between trees, inside and outside the ring, encapsulating the entire roof structure. The netted design creates a habitat for birds, possums and bats within the roof; a direct linear relationship between the structure and tree canopies. The material allows for flexibility in form for each species to create an ideal habitat and replicates that of a tree branch system; openings, nooks and forks. Within close proximity to natural habitats, food boxes are suspended within the design to encourage species to engage with the structure. Observation of how such species interact and engage with the structure speaks to the purpose of the spaces below; gallery and exhibition. In a constant state of flux, the architecture in conjunction with non human species, is a piece of art in its own right; only performing when full of life. Perforated metal sheeting underneath the netted, tensile structure, protects these species from falling from great heights and from direct, unwarranted human contact. The perforated metal cut outs vary in shape and size in order to accommodate a range of birds and their perching ability. Possum boxes, bird/bat houses are created in the maker spaces and can be used as shelters for displaced and recovering animals. These modular, temporary solutions can also be integrated into the roof structure and surround tree canopy for greater connection and immersion in the natural environment during recovery.
COMMUNITY FORUM
COMMONS
COMMONS
VISITORS CENTRE
VISITORS CENTRE
COMMUNITY FORUM MAKER SPACE
NURSERY
REVERSE GARBAGE
ENERGY SOLUTIONS
CIR CU LA TI
ACCOMODATION
RESEARCH LAB
WATER LAB
MAKER REVERSE SPACE GARBAGE
COMMUNITY STRUCTURE The design consists of a cantilevered suspended slab system FORUM RESEARCH supported by shear rammed earth walls and columns. Point NURSERY WATER LABloads are transfered from roof through columns to slab and down to the ground.
RESEARCH NURSERY WATER LAB
Visible Light
NOITIBIHXE
TRA
Infrared Light
MUROF ETAVIRP
Electricity
HCRAESER BAL RETAW YRESRUN
NURSERY
COMMUNITY FORUM
ACCOMODATION
ART
EXHIBITION
The Ubiquitous engineered solar harvesting glass panels are coated in an organic material which selectively transmits visible light while absorbing and converting invisible ultraviolet and infrared light into electricity. The panels convert ambient light into useful electricity at a 10 % power conversion efficiency, enhancing other solar harvesting in the schema.
VENTILATION
YTINUMMOC MUROF
The design is cross ventilated in as many places as possible via openings and half wall surrounding both the gallery and internal working spaces. Sky vents are also used to dispersive heat.
A M E NIT Y
N ITIO B I H EX
Ultraviolet Light
ON
REVERSE GARBAGE
EXHIBITION
LAB a large ellipsoidal roof structure The design incorporates with eaves to shade during the summer months, whilst also MAKER REVERSE ACCOMODATION allowing light to enter in winter. Passive heating and cooling SPACE GARBAGE COMMUNITY DISPLAY AMENITY is facilitated through the use of concrete slabs and rammed FORUM earth walls to insulate the design.
EXHIBITION
Y LA P S DI
PRIVATE FORUM
SHADING & THERMAL MASS
ACCOMODATION
CIRULATION
MAKERS SPACE
ART RESEARCH
PRIVATE FORUM
ART
WATER LAB
ENERGY
The design incorporates solar energy capture through solar panels installed on the face of the working roof spaces. Energy is stored and used to power the various functions of the design.
WATER
The design seeks to capture rainwater via a gutter system that feeds into water tanks for grey water and irrigation. Ephemeral rain chains also celebrate water collection by transporting water to irrigate garden beds and planting.
ESREVER REKAM EGABRAG ECAPS
NOIT
1:200 Sectional Model
1:200 Sectional Model
THE PAVILIONS
The pavilions are additional facilities within the project that are repeated architectural elements, scattered across the site and include: boat sheds, bird towers and recycling stations.
BOAT HOUSE
NATURALISATION OF RIVER EDGE
OYSTER WALLS
LITTER COLLECTION
The boat house pavilions across the site are used to store aquatic equipment used by stakeholders, to assist in the river clean up work done by the Mullets. Storage of bush regeneration equipment is provided on the outside of boat house for the Mudcrabs, as a secondary storage facility when working out at various sites along the river. Underneath the boathouse, oyster walls and banks are provided to assist in the purification process of the river system. The boathouse also provide small viewing and observation platforms across the river.
Ground Floor Plan
BIRD TOWER
WORKSHOP AND STORAGE OUTPOST
HOLLOW TREE (URBAN HABITAT TREE)
Modular bird tower pavilions are placed at various locations along the river’s edge and developed wetlands in order to observe and document birds, bats and other aerial fauna within the area. These towers are provided for groups such as the Mudlarks and The Flock to undertake their research. The upper element of the tower frames views internally to the outside whilst also providing outdoor circulation around the tower as a viewing platform. The lower section of the tower houses equipment for these stakeholders to specifically hollow out dying trees to provide additional habitats for fauna within the area. The towers have custom balustrades to allow birds to perch upon and operable louvres in the wall to ceiling connection to allow birds to enter and exit the space freely or simply sit within the roof, providing additional shelter and nesting areas.
Ground Floor Plan
Sectional Perspective
RECYCLE FACILITY + MUD-MOBILE ALLOWANCE FOR RETURN & EARN
LAND & WATER MOBILE UNIT ORGANIC COMPOSTING
Recycling stations are placed at various locations around the Cooks River catchment to allow the Crab Walkers, The Mullets and residents to have accessible facilities to deposit waste products, recyclable and organic matter removed from the river and surrounding site. In addition, preloved and excess items can be disposed of by the local community and repurposed at the Maker Space within the Eco Social Forum. Organic wastes are recycled and repurposed for composting and the bush regeneration initiative, on site.
Ground Floor Plan
Alphitonia excelsa - Red Ash Soap Tree
LANDSCAPE & MATERIALITY
Syzygium australe
- Lilly Pilly Winter Nights
Relationship and connection to site and Country is further enhanced through the use of Indigenous flora and a layered, sustainable planting approach. Hardy grasses, trees and plants provide suitable landscaping options for Sydney’s macro climate and the Cooks River micro environment. Variety in planting attracts multiple species to the site and broader community, developing a diverse, connected, interdependent ecosystem. Varied leafy and grass textures, edible plants as well as subtle aromas from the planting, add to the sensory experience of the project. Recyclable and natural materials have played a fundamental role in all elements and programs of the project design. These considerations have enhanced the overall embodied energy, operational energy and carbon footprint of the encompassing design. Materiality is broken down into the treatments of surfaces; floors and walls , alongside landscaping. Various floor and wall treatments were employed throughout the design for clear wayfinding, architectural aesthetic and material optimisation. Within the Eco-Social forum grated floors that are slightly elevated are employed to allow for plant growth underneath, are provided between structures and in main circulatory routes for clear and consistent wayfinding. These grates are also easily maintainable for the programs in which they facilitate. Planting below the floors creates shelter spaces and food sources for native fauna and brings the ecology to the building envelope.
Pennisetum alopecuroides - Lomandra Tanika
Lomandra longifolia -Tanika Mat Rush
Viola hederacea -Native Violet
Microlaena stipoides -Weeping Grass
MATERIALITY- RELATIONSHIP OF ALL MATTER SUSTAINABLE HARVESTING OF MATERIALS For the flooring throughout the project, three types of concrete mix were explored utilising recycled media from site. 1) Work zones: these areas require durable and maintainable floor treatments. Recycled oyster shells from the site are crushed as aggregate within the concrete to reduce the operational energy as a site specific product, creating economic and aesthetic value 2) Exhibition, gallery, circulation and amenity: whole oyster shells are submerged within the concrete flooring and exposed when ground back and polished. This treatment creates a conversation and relationship between the natural and built environments 3) Gathering and forum areas: feature coloured concrete, of earthy tones, which speak to the landscape, whilst harnessing recycled tile aggregate as a sustainable product choice. .
Work Zones
Exhibition and Gallery
Gathering and Forum
Wall structures in the Eco-Social forum are a combination of rammed earth and glazing. Rammed earth has been employed as a natural resource, which is formed on site reducing both embodied and operational energy of the design, therefore a lower carbon footprint. As a non toxic material it presents a safer option to its inhabitants and the broader environment and waterways, whilst also being 100% recyclable at its end of life. Aesthetically, rammed earth creates a natural relationship to compliment the other materials used across the site and is malleable supporting the organic form of the ring structure. Glazing across the programs combines solar harvesting and bird safe glass innovations. The Ubiquitous engineered solar harvesting glass panels36 are coated in an organic material which selectively transmits visible light while absorbing and converting invisible ultraviolet and infrared light into electricity. Ornilux glass37 looks smooth and clear to us but actually possesses a unique, invisible characteristic that allows birds to see the obstacle in front of them and hopefully avoid a collision. The glass is glazed with a pattern that mimics a spider’s web and is made of an ultraviolet-reflective coating only visible to birds. This is because they are capable of seeing a broader UV spectrum than humans. Results showed that an overwhelming 76% of birds managed to recognise and avoid the glass laced with ultraviolet-reflective patterns.
Reciprocal relationships for a sustainable future are facilitated through the project design, whereby the actions of stakeholders and knowledge opportunities developed across the site create interdependent engagement between human and nonhuman stakeholders. This enables the rehabilitation of the environment, purifying waterways, replanting and replenishing resources, where life below and on land is recultured. This space is not static, as a cycle of knowledge building to anticipate future needs, is what creates a crucial shift in the realisation of a sustainable future and the flourishing of all matter.
APPENDIX SITE IMAGES AND MODEL MAKING PROCESS
COOKS RIVER FLOOR TREATMENTS
COOKS RIVER CONTEXT
CONCRETE
Mixing cement
Cement placed into formwork
Oysters placed into cement mix (gallery/ exhibition floor treatment)
Cement mix in formwork to set
Oysters crushed and used as recycled aggregate
Oyster crushed aggregate cement mix in formwork (Work Zones floor treatment)
Pigmentation mixed and added to white cement to develop “feature concrete”
“Feature concrete” in formwork to set
RAMMED EARTH
Materials separated before mixing process
Mixture of earth and road base
Process of mixing materials
Process of mixing materials- added cement
Consistency of mixture without water
Water added to develop accurate consistency
Mixture “rammed” into formwork
When set, dried and cut to see the composition
Endnotes 1 Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Report on culturally appropriate First Nations consultation with Ngemba Nation, “6.3. Responses – Uses”, July 2019, PUB18/793, p. 49. https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/236143 2 3 4 Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Report on culturally appropriate First Nations consultation with Ngemba Nation, “6.3. Responses – Uses”, July 2019, PUB18/793, p. 48. https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/236143/culturally-appropriate-first-nations-consultation-ngemba.pdf 5 Personal Communication with Ted Gordon- Aboriginal Lands Council Brewarrina 6 Alison Page and Paul Memmott, “Engineered Structures,” in Design: Building on Country, (Thames & Hudson Australia :2021) 72 7 Alison Page and Paul Memmott, “Engineered Structures,” in Design: Building on Country, 32 8 “Baiames Ngunnhu- the story of the Brewarrina Fish Traps,” Department of Agriculture water and the Environment for the National Heritage Listing, 2005, https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uYKg1M6PRk 9 Laila Haglund, “Brewarrina Shire - Community Base Aboriginal Heritage Study”, 2012, https://www.brewarrina.nsw.gov.au/ 10 Laila Haglund, “Brewarrina Shire - Community Base Aboriginal Heritage Study”. 33 11 Alison Page and Paul Memmott, “Engineered Structures,” in Design: Building on Country, 68 12 M. H Monroe, “Australia: The Land Where Time Began, A biography of the Australian continent Brewarrina Aboriginal Fish Traps (Baiame’s Ngunnhu)” https://austhrutime.com/brewarrina_aboriginal_fish_traps_.htm 13 Damian Kelly, Archeology of Aboriginal Fishtraps, Thesis, 2014, ResearchGate 25 14 Alison Page, “Engineered Structures,” in Design: Building on Country, 57 15 Damian Kelly, Archeology of Aboriginal Fishtraps, 52 16 Damian Kelly, Archeology of Aboriginal Fishtraps 24 17 Damian Kelly, Archeology of Aboriginal Fishtraps 46 18 Geoff Hiscock, “Ancient Aboriginal fish traps refocus Australian history debate: Were pre-colonial indigenous people farmers or hunter-gatherers?” in Nikkei Asia, November 2021, https://asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/Life/Ancient-Aboriginal-fish-traps-refocus-Australian-history-debate 19 Damian Kelly, Archeology of Aboriginal Fishtraps 54 20 Personal Communication with Ted Gordon- Aboriginal Lands Council Brewarrina 21 Damian Kelly, Archeology of Aboriginal Fishtraps, 53 22 Laila Haglund, “Brewarrina Shire - Community Base Aboriginal Heritage Study”. 16 23 Laila Haglund, “Brewarrina Shire - Community Base Aboriginal Heritage Study”. 16 24 M. H Monroe, “Australia: The Land Where Time Began, A biography of the Australian continent Brewarrina Aboriginal Fish Traps (Baiame’s Ngunnhu)” https://austhrutime.com/brewarrina_aboriginal_fish_traps_.htm 25 Personal Communication with Ted Gordon- Aboriginal Lands Council Brewarrina 26 Personal Communication with Ted Gordon- Aboriginal Lands Council Brewarrina 27 Damian Kelly, Archeology of Aboriginal Fishtraps 71 28 Cameron Muir, Deborah Rose, Phillip Sullivan, “From the other side of the knowledge frontier: Indigenous knowledge, social-ecological relationships and new perspectives” in the Rangeland Journal, Volume 32, Issue 3, (2010) Abstract, https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/en/publications/from-the-other-side-of-the-knowledge-frontierindigenous-knowledge 29 Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Report on culturally appropriate First Nations consultation with Ngemba Nation, “6.3. Responses – Uses”, July 2019, PUB18/793, p. 45. https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/236143 30 Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Report on culturally appropriate First Nations consultation with Ngemba Nation, “5.4 Custodianship and jurisdiction”, July 2019, PUB18/793, p. 34. https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/236143 31 Geoff Hiscock, “Ancient Aboriginal fish traps refocus Australian history debate: Were pre-colonial indigenous people farmers or hunter-gatherers?” https://asia.nikkei. com/Life Arts/Life/Ancient-Aboriginal-fish-traps-refocus-Australian-history-debate 32 Cooks River Alliance, Aboriginal History Along the Cooks River, page 34 33 Cooks River Alliance, Aboriginal History Along the Cooks River, page 34 34 Frances Bodkin and Gawaian Bodkin-Andrews, D’harawal, DREAMING STORIES, “Guwarra The Whale and the Pelican,” https://dharawalstories.files.wordpress. com/2015/05/guwarra935kb.pdf 36 Ubiquitous Energy, https://ubiquitous.energy/ 37 Ornilux Bird Protection Glass, “The Future of Bird Friendly Glass is Clear,” http://www.ornilux.com/index.html
Bibliography Cooks River Alliance, Aboriginal History Along the Cooks River Inner West Council., Greenway Master Plan, July 2018, https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/live/environment-and-sustainability/in-your-neighbourhood/bushlandparks-and-verges/greenway/greenway-masterplan Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW, Best Practice Guidelines: Cooks River Castlereagh Ironbark Forest, 2008, https://www.environment.nsw.gov. au/resources/threatenedspecies/08601tsdsbpgcooksriver1.pdf Frances Bodkin and Gawaian Bodkin-Andrews, D’harawal, DREAMING STORIES, “Guwarra The Whale and the Pelican,” https://dharawalstories.files.wordpress. com/2015/05/guwarra935kb.pdf Inner West Council., Greenway Master Plan Community Engagement Report, July 2018, https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/live/environment-and-sustainability/ in-your-neighbourhood/bushland-parks-and-verges/greenway/greenway-masterplan Inner West Council., Greenway Master Plan Benchmark Report, July 2018, https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/live/environment-and-sustainability/in-your-neighbourhood/bushland-parks-and-verges/greenway/greenway-masterplan