ARTS AND ARCHITECTURAL 2 DAY FORUM - MARCH 2023
Regional architectural and arts leaders presented new initiatives addressing environmental, social and economic impact. The CORRIDOR project in partnership with the RAA hosted regional leaders in architecture, arts/culture and community engagement between March 16-18. The forum will addressed new perspectives on building models, placemaking, arts and cultural programs.
Central West floods and regional natural disasters have prompted urgent attention from design and arts industry professionals to discuss design models in relation to the current natural environment and climate impact. Regional leaders invited to speak by the RAA include: Cowra architect and founder of CLEAN Cowra - Dylan Gower; Creative Producer - the CORRIDOR project - Phoebe Cowdery, and Arts OutWest arts-worker/curator - Aleisha Lonsdale.
Called SITING, the forum setting alone suggests a different approach, hosted in a historic Cowra woolshed restored by d-CONSTRUCT architects for the CORRIDOR project, a NFP arts and cultural organisation. Delegates were accommodated on-site in the Shearer’s Quarters located adjacent to the woolshed [reactivated as a event/studio space]
The program explored new ways to form meaningful connections to the land through understanding and respecting First Nations knowledge, architecture and art practices that embed place-making, caring for the environment, and construction connected to the ground it is built on. RAA founding and committee member, and co-director of Takt Studio for Architecture, Katharina Hendel, explains this conversation for regional architecture has never been more critical in the wake of the disastrous floods in the Central West and regional natural disasters within Australia.
“Our architectural and arts communities have long collaborated,” said Katharina. “In the wake of so many natural disasters, like the floods in the Central West, there is a real desire to do more to guide better ways of building and designing together. Our professionals are interested in integrating the wealth of knowledge by local communities and especially First Nations communities bring to the table. We know we can’t keep building public and private spaces the same way we’ve always done if we’re to avoid the level of devastation seen over the last few years,” continued Katharina. “That can only happen if we learn from each other in different ways, which is what our Cowra event is all about.”
Creative Producer, Phoebe Cowdery, said “Bringing communities from across the regions together to observe the land and experience the impacts firsthand, takes the discussion beyond the theoretical. Events hosted on land like SITING inspire a collegial narrative about our environmental impact and design or program methodologies between professionals practicing in architecture and the arts. Those shared dialogues and resources help us understand more fully the impact of these topics within our professions.”
Further links:
RAA - Regional Architects Association: https://www.regionalarchitecture.net.au
The CORRIDOR project: https://www.thecorridorproject.org
CLEAN Cowra: https://www.clean.org.au
Arts OutWest: https://www.artsoutwest.org.au
MEDIA CONTACT: Penny Keogh | 0416740449 | penny@oursliceofpie.com
RAA Support…. Advocacy • Community
A network of regional practitioners supporting one another to collectively strengthen the practice of architecture, advocate for a better built environment and connect members to communities, industry and decision makers