Redfern is a place of national significance. Of activism, social resistance and change.

The challenge of this project was to upgrade an existing 1880s Victorian Italianate building and to make it both physically and psychologically accessible. There was also a strong desire to recognise an engaged and proud community and to celebrate knowledge keeping and continued cultural practice in this prominent location.

Re-read through the lens of Country, this place is celebrated and honoured. Once prevalent turpentine forest is remembered, and the powerful owl recognised as a symbol of resilience.

We consider the tangible and intangible aspects of our projects through conversations, long term learning and experimentation and by building relationships. We hope that these discussions will progressively grow, then flourish and have impacts well beyond the physical manifestation or boundaries of the site or project.

Through the process of working together; of analysing, deconstructing and reconstructing; we seek a better understanding of Country, not just through the building itself, but through the conversations that this tactic affords, embedding cultural, environmental and social value.

aileensage.com/publiccommercial#/redfern-community-facility/