Walk Together: Design Guided by Country to shape our futures

The First Nations Advisory Committee and Cultural Reference Panel of the Australian Institute of Architects is today releasing Walk Together: Design Guided By Country – a new, freely accessible resource that will support architects and built environment professionals to engage meaningfully with First Nations Peoples and Country in their projects.  

Developed collaboratively over several years, Design Guided by Country will support architects, graduates and students to enact culturally responsive approaches and design methodologies that prioritise the health and wellbeing of Country, respect for cultural authority, protect and celebrate cultural heritage, and strengthen First Nations communities’ capacities to care for Country. 

It follows in the footsteps of the work of Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Holders, architects, designers, activists and academics who have advanced respectful and meaningful approaches to engagements with representative communities, organisations, and First Nations makers and individuals. 

“Walk Together: Design Guided by Country is an invitation to the built environment industry to walk together with First Nations Peoples,” said Co-Chair Michael Mossman.  

“This useful resource will empower architects, graduates, students and built environment professionals to meaningfully engage with Country, culture and First Nations Peoples in their design practice.  

“Its release reinforces the Institute’s commitment to reconciliation and education, and highlights the leadership of the First Nations Advisory Committee and Cultural Reference Group.  

“Walk Together: Design Guided by Country is a commitment to practices that honour, protect and respect Country and all First Nations Peoples. It is an invitation to listen deeply, and shape futures through an ethic of care at the heart of every project.” 

Design Guided by Country supports culturally responsive Country centred approaches to architecture, design and heritage integration. It provides guidance on communication protocols, relationship-building, Indigenous cultural and intellectual property, funding models and procurement pathways specific when working with Country and First Nations Peoples. It also assists architects in meeting competency requirements set out in the National Standards of Competency for Architects 2021.  

Design Guided by Country is freely available to architects, clients and the broader built environment industry and is available here.