Designing with Country

Exploring the First Building, Bradfield and beyond.

Wetland area at Wianamatta showing plants growing in water and large trees in the background.
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Narratives of Country

Based on the storytelling and knowledge sharing by key Knowledge Holders of Dharug Country, Djinjama developed the following narratives for the project. 

It is important when Aboriginal knowledge is shared the knowledge is learned from and responded to. As such each narrative results in design, planning, landscaping, storytelling and care for Country approaches, opportunities and strategies ensuring a holistic outcome.

Quick facts

  • Character of Wianamatta ‘Mother Place’
  • Structure rising from and reflecting Country
  • Fluid lines and softness to forms
  • Water sensitive designs and cycles  
  • Rammed earth walls reflecting local geologies  
  • 130 endemic species and 14,000 rooftop plants healing Country  
2:25

Bradfield City Centre The First Building - Designing with Country

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Video transcript

Bradfield City Centre The First Building - Designing with Country

Dr Daniele Hromek 

Designing with Country requires that firstly, you are of Country, that you have ancestry from Country. And, also, these days you need to be a design professional as well. 

Liz Westgarth 

So Hassell is the lead architect for the First Building. But we worked closely with a cultural design agency called Djinjama and we worked with them to bring out the stories of Country, stories about this being women's Country or Wianamatta. And some of the ways we did that through the design are through the use of materials. So timber, for example, it not only is a sustainable material because it's low embodied carbon, but it also is a material that has warmth to it. So really reflecting, you know, almost our own mothers, which are warm and inviting. 

Dr Daniele Hromek 

I mean, just the nature of the Country gives a feminine quality. You can see how the edges of the building have been rounded off. That's sort of talking to that more gentle nature of the landscape here, the rounded hills and Cumberland plains. 

Jon Hazelwood 

Now, one of the key lessons we learned from working with Djinjama around that connection to Country was the importance of water within the Wianamatta catchment and how that's reflected. The ephemeral trace of water through this landscape. 

Dr Daniele Hromek 

We wanted to reflect on being birthed by Country. We called it the ‘Mother Story’. And the idea is that Country pushed this structure up and that's why there's grasses up there. Literally the structure has been pushed up by Country itself. 

Liz Westgarth 

And you'll see that the landscape flows in and through the building in a very soft and sinuous way. Again, enhancing the connection between the built environment and the natural environment. 

Dr Daniele Hromek 

First Nations people's voices have not been integrated into built environments since colonisation started, in reality. And yet we have a lot to say, and we have a lot to share in terms of how we would design this place and how we would make sure that it's a place that's not being destroyed by what we do as humans but enhancing.

The Water Story

Water gives life and connects us all. 

The flow of the water on Freshwater Country helps shape the landscape and allow us to understand the interconnectedness of waters impact on places, people, activities and Country. Nearby Wianamatta is sacred and to be respected. 

The waters serve as the highways on Country and provide a place for Women’s Business and cultural understanding.

Map showing waterways around Bradfield, including Badgerys Creek, Moore Gully, Thompsons Creek and Wianamatta South Creek.
Hydrology Mapping, by Djinjama.

The Maternal Story

The Maternal Story reflects our mother the earth. Through mother earth we gain understanding of our role and purpose. Mother earth is inclusive and does not discriminate between those who share Country. We gain understanding of the role for women and their voice along with the role for men, elevating, protecting and giving space. 

Wetland area at Wianamatta showing plants growing in water and large trees in the background.
Wianamatta. Image credit: Dr Danièle Hromek

The values of motherhood are reflected through the Maternal Story, nurturing, birthing on and ensuring no further harm comes to Country.

Healing Country

This narrative starts with Country and ensures the health of Country is at the forefront of all decisions. It centres on reciprocity, taming the inner emu that only thinks about oneself, pushing for a collective that is family oriented. 

Healing Country values fatherhood, supporting women and stepping up to look after the offspring. 

Healing Country means caring for each aspect of Country including biodiversity. 

A branch of an ironbark eucalyptus tree with red flowers and green leaves
Mugga Ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon). Image credit: Carlos Porras

Ingenuity of Country

The Ingenuity of Country understands that sites are not in isolation; everything is interconnected, complex and entwined. This Country narrative takes inspiration from Quandong – the emu digesting to soften and access nutrients.

Understanding that Country already perfects everything without perfectionism, and that we need to work and manufacture with Country.

Close up of a swamp sheoak plant
Swamp Sheoak (Casuarina glauca). Image credit: Carlos Porras

Relational Materials

Relational Materials recognise the inspiration of Country and conscious decision making in utilising materials. Ensuring there is an intricate balance for materials with transparency of where they come from, how they are sourced and used. 

Close up detail of the bark of a eucalyptus tree
Eucalyptus Bark. Image credit: Dr Danièle Hromek

There are Protocols for caring for materials that should be respected to avoid overuse. Understanding the materials Country gives us and how healthy construction materials to ensure balance.

Belonging Story

The Belonging narrative embraces Country, culture and people. Country orients and helps us navigate, giving indications for the right path or place. 

The environment should be welcoming; feel we belong to place and not impose on the landscape. Cultural practices should be embraced with spaces feeling the Traditional Custodians are welcoming visitors into an inclusive environment. 

Burning leaves in a bucket producing white smoke
Belonging Story Image credit: Dr Danièle Hromek

Cycles Narrative

The Cycles narrative embraces that everything is connected and holds cycles to keep balance. The cycles of ecology, from the natural flow of water to seasonal cycles of non-human kin, are all affected if something shifts their balance. There needs to be a natural flow of water as the Cumberland Plain Woodlands needs a certain amount to survive.

Weaving
Weaving. Image credit: Dr Danièle Hromek

Birds play a key part in the ecology cycle through the disturbance of seeds. 

Balance is embraced through gendered roles and practices on Country.

Our commitment to First Nations Peoples

The Western Sydney region has a rich and continuous heritage of First Nations culture. We are committed to embracing the opportunity to learn from and partner with local First Nations communities to improve outcomes in the region.

Explore more about our reconciliation journey and commitments.

1:52

Bradfield City Centre First Building Smoking Ceremony

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Video transcript

Bradfield City Centre First Building Smoking Ceremony

Ken Morrison 

This might be the first building of a new city, but it's been created in an ancient country.

Uncle Colin Locke 

I'd like to warmly welcome you all here today and to pay our respects on the land that we stand upon. A smoking ceremony. It's not only done by Aboriginal people but by many cultures around the world. It's used for cleansing of the body, spiritually, physically. 

Ken Morrison 

Today we're recognising that continuing association and the importance of Aboriginal people, First Nations people in the life of Bradfield.

Tony Scholes 

This land has always been a place of knowledge sharing, innovation and gathering. 

Dr Melissa Williams 

We've been with Bradfield City since inception and it's been a big journey and it was good to catch up with the designers and the architects and I think they've done a great job.

Uncle Colin Locke 

Ladies and gentlemen, while you're here on direct country by the good spirit by Army, watch over you from the high country. 

Ken Morrison 

This journey to create this building and indeed for the whole planning here at Bradfield has been one that's been done in collaboration with First Nations communities. As we commit and recognise and celebrate country, culture and community. 

Natalie Camilleri 

We consider all of you our greatest friends and to walk for a long time with us on this city building journey. 

Tony Scholes 

It's through working together that we can build places and spaces that truly reflect the past, present and future of this land. 

Ross Tangye

It's even like looking now. The wood, instead of being concrete and bricks, you've got nice wood and exposed beams, glass. You can see through the place. It's got a nice feel about the place. Suits me.

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