The Melbourne edition of The Architecture Symposium 2025 will provide a comprehensive assessment of how the architecture industry is incorporating Indigenous perspectives into design practices. Scheduled for November 21 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre's Clarendon Auditorium in South Wharf, the event will feature 13 speakers who will examine best practices for designing projects that serve First Nations clients, communities, and Country through the presentation of ten significant projects.

The symposium is being guided by a distinguished curatorial committee consisting of Sarah Lynn Rees, Carroll Go-Sam, and Dillon Kombumerri. The speakers will reflect on their professional work and experiences while also evaluating how the architecture industry is progressing in terms of education, advocacy, and policy development related to Indigenous design principles.

This gathering comes during a period of increasing momentum to integrate Indigenous perspectives into architectural thinking and practice. In recent years, a growing number of built projects have demonstrated enhanced collaboration with First Nations communities and placed stronger emphasis on including Indigenous histories and traditional knowledge systems in architectural design.

The program will serve as an opportunity to conduct what organizers describe as a "pulse check" on the profession's progress, allowing participants to assess how far the industry has advanced and identify areas that still require significant development. This evaluation will help determine the current state of Indigenous inclusion in Australian architecture.

The symposium will showcase several notable projects that exemplify best practices in Indigenous-focused design. These include the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence by ARM Architecture, the UTS National First Nations College by Greenaway Architects, the Glen Waverley Civic Precinct by Winsor Kerr, and the Blacktown Native Institute Masterplan Reference Design by COLA Studio. Additional featured projects include Mari-Mari-Ba by Deicke Richards, Djarragun College by People Oriented Design, Nungalinya by Incidental Architecture, and the Ieramugadu School Redevelopment in Roebourne by Iredale Pedersen Hook Architects.

Beyond project presentations, the symposium will feature a series of focused panel discussions addressing critical aspects of Indigenous architecture. Michael Mossman from the University of Sydney will present "Reshaping education: The impact of First Nations Performance Criteria," examining how educational institutions are adapting their curricula to include Indigenous perspectives.

Danièle Hromek of Djinjama will lead a discussion titled "Cultural considerations: Rethinking briefs, competitions and guidelines," which will explore how the industry can better incorporate cultural sensitivity into its standard practices. Kieran Wong of the Fulcrum Agency will present "Beyond architecture: Facilitating agency and advocacy," focusing on how architects can support Indigenous communities beyond traditional design services.

The event will conclude with a comprehensive conversation between curatorial committee members Carroll Go-Sam and Sarah Lynn Rees, moderated by Georgia Birks, associate editor of Architecture Australia. This discussion, titled "So how are we doing?", will provide an overall assessment of the industry's progress and identify future challenges and opportunities.

The Architecture Symposium operates as part of the Design Speaks program, which is organized by Architecture Media. The event has garnered support from several premium partners, including Bondor Metecno, Vicostone, and Planned Cover, with Ovolo South Yarra serving as the hotel partner. Additional information about the symposium and ticket purchasing options are available through the Design Speaks website, reflecting the growing industry interest in Indigenous architectural practices and cultural integration.