At Rork Projects, we are dedicated to creating spaces that resonate with cultural significance and meaningful design. For this reason, we are excited to announce our latest project win to come out of Melbourne.
We are proud to be working alongside Swinburne University of Technology and talented indigenous architect, Jefa Greenaway RAIA MDIA, to create three remarkable learning circle landscape areas, across three Swinburne Campus’: Hawthorn, Croydon and Wantirna.
Our focus is on the revitalisation of key public spaces, paying homage to the traditional owners of the lands on which the campuses stand—the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. These learning circles will serve as locations for meaningful smoking ceremonies and warm welcomes to countries, fostering a connection to the rich heritage of the indigenous communities.
Last week, we celebrated the start of construction on our Indigenous Learning Circles project for with sod turning ceremonies at Swinburne’s Croydon and Wantirna campuses.
John Paul Janke and the Rork Projects team joined Swinburne’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Engagement and Wiradjuri man, Professor John Evans and Madelyn Bolch, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Vocational Education, to officially kick start the Croydon and Wantirna projects.
This space will integrate aspects of country, people culture at all three of Swinburne’s Melbourne Campuses. Theses Indigenous Learning Circles will connect to the existing Aunty Dot Peters AM Flowering Grasslands at the Swinburne Campus’s.
The space has been co-created with Swinburne’s Indigenous students, the Moondani Toombadool Centre, Local Wurundjeri elders and Indigenous Architect Jefa Greenaway RAIA MDIA.
Every element of the space has been designed with a Connection to Country and culture of in mind – from the new seating and gathering spaces to the artworks that will adorn the area. It will be an environment that encourages students to think differently, reflect, review their goals and further their understanding of what they are learning and why they are learning at Swinburne.
Swinburne’s integration of Indigenous culture is evident even in the site fencing, where talented Indigenous students from Swinburne have contributed artworks that feature on the banner mesh around the construction sites. This holistic approach ensures that the Indigenous Learning Circles not only serve as physical spaces but also as platforms for fostering a sense of community, understanding, and pride.
