“To know me is to breathe with me. To breathe with me is to listen deeply. To listen deeply is to connect. It is the sound. The sound of deep calling to deep. Dadirri – The deep inner spring inside us. We call on it and it calls on us……..I believe that the spirit of Dadirri that we have to offer will blossom and grow. Not just within ourselves. But within our whole nation.” — Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM
At ck architecture, our reconciliation journey is deepening through the implementation of our Innovate RAP. As our understanding grows, we have recognised an important distinction: non-Indigenous designers cannot “Design with Country.” This term refers to First Nations-led design processes grounded in cultural obligations, knowledge systems and deep understanding of place. Instead, our role is to design with respect to Country – by being culturally responsive and embedding Connection to Country principles in everything we do.
This shift moves us away from symbolic gestures toward a mindset of responsibility, openness, and reciprocity. It means starting every project by authentically engaging with Traditional Custodians who know Country through their ongoing care for it. This ensures cultural narratives and knowledge guide design outcomes. Country is not an afterthought — it is our first client.
Our journey so far has included cultural awareness courses, Walks on Country led by Elders and Knowledge Holders, and conversations with Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Violet and Knowledge Holder Richie Allan. Their generosity in sharing culture, values, language, and stories — and helping us see the land, flora, fauna, waterways, and sky through their eyes — has deepened our understanding of this place and what caring for it truly means. This learning shapes how we design. With every project, we acknowledge that the site is on the lands of First Nations People — On Country — and commit to initiating design stories that begin with connecting to Country.
This approach can only be achieved through partnerships with Traditional Custodians throughout the life of the project. At the core is being present and listening. When we design, we thoughtfully consider how and why we are modifying this place — do our actions benefit this place? Overlaid with this is making tangible the Indigenous cultures, values, knowledge, and languages of this place through the built environment and placemaking.
We thank Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Violet, Knowledge Holder Richie Allan, Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (TOAC), and Deadly Djinjama for their generosity in sharing knowledge and guiding our journey. We acknowledge that the stories and wisdom shared are not ours; with permission, we pass them on in a way that is respectful and meaningful.
Connection to Country is not a destination — it is an ongoing journey of listening, learning, and responsible practice. At ck architecture, we are committed to walking this path with respect, integrity, and accountability.
Looking ahead, we acknowledge that specific projects — such as delivering services and facilities for First Nations Communities and projects occurring on significant sites, must be Indigenous-led. For these projects, we will work in partnership with an Indigenous Architect, Indigenous Spatial Planner, or Indigenous Cultural Designer to deliver the project, adhering to a co-design approach and workflow process with the client group.
This blog was originally published on March 30th, 2023 with the title ‘Designing with Country’. It has been updated to reflect our evolving understanding of the practice and space.
