Indigenous Housing in Australia
Remote vs urban
What did I learn? how did this make me feel? Questions?
Cross-cultural Hybridity
Housing
Research focussing on remote rather than urban areas
Traditionally Indigenous communities ostracised from town centres (fringe settlements)
Inadequate architectural attention to urban housing
Harder to collectively identify cultural identity in urban areas
Harder to pinpoint specific areas that need attention
Dispersion and distribution of people
Easier to associate collectively with remote communities
Urban
Remote
Good examples
Bad examples
Tangentyere designs
Core House
Laverton House
Goorawin Shelter
European style - not much consideration for Aboriginal culture
Public housing and rental as main options
Discrimination and poverty affecting ability to enter market
Poverty - what can people afford to but/rent?
Indigenous groups exist that would not consider themselves living in marginalised housing - enjoy living in 'mainstream' housing
Many attempts made to design specifically for different remote communities
Challenges of logistics, cultural requirements etc.
Fringe settlements/town camps
Studying Indigenous patterns of living
Key outdoor/indoor relationship
Clearance for side flaps problematic as disrupted structured external space
Courtyard focus unsuccessful as internal focus went against cultural requirements
Examples of architects not listening to community needs
Adaptable housing based on town camp observations
What did I learn?
Feelings?
Questions?
How does hybrid architecture affect the urban fabric of different cities?
Homogenous vs heterogenous
Examples in Brisbane
Important to listen to the community and client you are designing for especially when considering different cultural nuances
Frustrated to see architects ignoring the cultural requirements of the community and deciding to pursue their own agenda
Hybrid: Derived from heterogenous sources, or composed of different or incongruous elements.
Idea of "monster houses"
Complexities of opposition and domination in any specific place
Use of the word 'monster' evokes negative connotations
Combination of privileged white landscape by alien 'other'
Greek vs Australian architecture in West End
China Town architecture in Fortitude Valley
Why do stereotypes of Indigenous culture/identity as something inherently remote persist?
The binary urban/remote - where remote communities seen as disconnected with economy but connected with culture and vice versa for urban communities
Stereotypes affecting housing - remote have more dedicated programs whilst urban forced to conform
Important to continue to consider the effects of poverty in housing affordability