Wiradjuri Tourism Centre Competition
In a collaboration between Gresley Abas, Greg Burgess and REALMstudios, we were one of the shortlisted teams for the Wiradjuri Tourism Centre design competition in Dubbo. Working remotely through Covid lockdowns, our team sought to find connections with Wiradjuri, the community who hold the knowledges of place, the hosts of the tourism centre development, and Country.
The team explored and carefully considered the unique conditions of ‘place’, the many stories and histories, and other markers that could orient our design response. The design follows the logic of the river snail shell, with the strong central apex conceived as the keeping place for secret sacred objects being returned to Wiradjuri Country, including the repatriation of the culturally significant Dubbo Wiradjuri Scar Trees. As the form expands, it opens to visitors and the wider community, allowing for a seamless inside-outside connection to ‘place’.
With limited opportunity for engagement, our design seeks to sensitively invite a Connection to Country from a distance, respecting the importance of a relationship with Wiradjuri peoples to evolve an appropriate design response. It does not intend to speak on behalf of Wiradjuri Country. Nevertheless, it draws from the wellsprings of place, posing questions and talking points to develop a series of possibilities and open a path to an essential dialogue. There are several key design principles and aspirations:
Employment of design & materials that are natural, tactile.
Use materials that have a local origin, sourced from this Country.
Selection of materials that have integrity and sensuality that can contribute to the health and wellness of the environment as well as people.
Creation of a place where buildings and landscape appear as one seamless experience in harmony with each other.
