Authenticity has become the buzz word of the 2020’s. It’s become a benchmark of how we present ourselves to the world; or how we perceive ourselves to be received by whom else is in our external sphere. But at what point does this become relevant in architecture? Can practicing authenticity in design enrich today’s built environment, and in what ways? For Melbourne Design Week, Gray Puksand has assembled the voices of four unique perspectives to provide reflections from an environmental, historical and cultural point of view.
Architects and designers have a responsibility to produce buildings of authenticity that work in the context of their place, meaning the landscape prior to the development, their past, incorporating not only Indigenous voices, but those of the recent colonial past and to have consideration to incorporate cultural heritage and learnings to continue to enrich, and respect the places in which they exist. These multifaceted layers of understanding contribute to the underlying richness of the end design and to contribute to its longevity for use and function. By applying these references, we can learn from our existing architectural story, to provide improvement for the future.
Interestingly enough, authenticity is centered on being genuine, or true to oneself rather than just existing as a façade; an architectural term. By incorporating these deeper meanings into modern Australian Architecture we are celebrating those who came before us, and ensuring that their spirit lives on – but it goes further than that; it can’t only be about looking backwards; it needs to be about embedding this knowledge to look forward, and to use design to provide spaces to help people to better learn, rest, communicate, work and live.
For Melbourne Design Week, Gray Puksand has invited Brad Buller, PhD Historian, Jeff Gray, Indigenous Engagement Lead, Uncle Dave Wandin, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder, Ian Khoo, Senior Associate Gray Puksand and moderated by Heidi Smith, Lead Partner (Vic) at Gray Puksand to analyze these layers and explore how deep engagement can occur, and how we can use design to embed these layers into projects. We will describe the extensive collaborative approach between architect, consultant and client, as we explore several case studies and their outcomes. We invite you to register your attendance to listen to the discussion for Melbourne Design Week at the Gray Puksand Melbourne Studio 5:30pm Thursday 14 May. All tickets sold include a donation to The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency.
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