“The role of design is not to lead but to enable Traditional Owners to embed culture for future generations and maintain continued connection to Country.”<\\/p>\\n\",\"body_text\":\"
Understanding Co-Design<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n Co-design is aspirational – a desire by institutions, organisations, and practitioners to work more relationally with others. While there is no single official UN definition, the concept is widely used across UN agencies in relation to inclusive decision-making, participatory design, and community engagement. In this framework, co-design refers to a collaborative approach where stakeholders, including end-users, actively participate in the design process to ensure solutions meet their needs and priorities.<\\/p>\\n As a methodology, co-design brings together designers and non-designers (people with lived experiences or subject matter experts) to create project-specific solutions. It is:<\\/p>\\n This represents a crucial transition from a building-first perspective to a purpose and people-first perspective. The ‘co’ part emphasises collaboration and shared decision-making power, while the ‘design’ part refers to generating, testing, and validating various concepts to create solutions.<\\/p>\\n <\\/p>\\n\",\"meta_data\":false,\"image\":false},{\"display\":true,\"columns\":[{\"type\":\"media\",\"text_format\":\"body\",\"use_intro\":false,\"text_intro\":\"\",\"text_content\":\" The Historical Context<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n Historically, the deep cultural, spiritual, and legal connection that First Nations peoples have with Country has been consistently disregarded, disrupted, and actively suppressed through colonisation. The dispossession of land and systemic attempts to dismantle cultural knowledge systems have had enduring and devastating effects\\u2014culturally, socially, and economically.<\\/p>\\n The Native Title Act 1993, introduced after the landmark Mabo case, marked a pivotal shift in Australian legal history by overturning the myth of Terra Nullius<\\/em> and acknowledging that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived on and cared for this land for millennia. It affirmed a form of traditional connection to land, but\\u2014as Dr Gary Foley argues in Native Title is Not Land Rights<\\/em>\\u2014it fell far short of genuine land justice. Native Title is narrow in scope, fragile in its legal basis, and largely conditional upon First Nations people proving continuous connection under colonial legal standards, often at great cost.<\\/p>\\n Despite symbolic progress, the underlying structures of land control and development remain largely unchanged. Many communities remain excluded from meaningful land rights, and from decision-making processes that shape Country. This ongoing inequity highlights how far we still have to go.<\\/p>\\n As designers, we have a social, ethical, and cultural responsibility to acknowledge this legacy and work alongside Traditional Owners and First Peoples in ways that move beyond tokenism. The challenge is to honour Indigenous knowledge systems and lived experiences authentically, and to embed opportunities for cultural practices to thrive\\u2014ensuring that connection to Country is not only remembered, but actively sustained and celebrated today and into the future.<\\/p>\\n\",\"credit\":\"\",\"media_format\":\"image\",\"constrain_width_mobile\":true,\"image\":{\"ID\":4454,\"id\":4454,\"title\":\"Native Title\",\"filename\":\"Native-Title.jpg\",\"filesize\":37475,\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/06\\/Native-Title.jpg\",\"link\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpengine.com\\/journal\\/co-design-with-traditional-owners-building-meaningful-partnerships-on-country\\/native-title-2\\/\",\"alt\":\"\",\"author\":\"5\",\"description\":\"\",\"caption\":\"\",\"name\":\"native-title-2\",\"status\":\"inherit\",\"uploaded_to\":4094,\"date\":\"2025-06-30 07:48:56\",\"modified\":\"2025-06-30 07:48:56\",\"menu_order\":0,\"mime_type\":\"image\\/jpeg\",\"type\":\"image\",\"subtype\":\"jpeg\",\"icon\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-includes\\/images\\/media\\/default.png\",\"width\":457,\"height\":755,\"sizes\":{\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/06\\/Native-Title-150x150.jpg\",\"thumbnail-width\":150,\"thumbnail-height\":150,\"medium\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/06\\/Native-Title-182x300.jpg\",\"medium-width\":182,\"medium-height\":300,\"medium_large\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/06\\/Native-Title.jpg\",\"medium_large-width\":457,\"medium_large-height\":755,\"large\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/06\\/Native-Title.jpg\",\"large-width\":457,\"large-height\":755,\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/06\\/Native-Title.jpg\",\"1536x1536-width\":457,\"1536x1536-height\":755,\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/06\\/Native-Title.jpg\",\"2048x2048-width\":457,\"2048x2048-height\":755,\"full_width\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/06\\/Native-Title.jpg\",\"full_width-width\":457,\"full_width-height\":755,\"medium2\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/06\\/Native-Title.jpg\",\"medium2-width\":457,\"medium2-height\":755}},\"video\":\"\",\"use_caption\":true,\"caption\":\" ‘Native Title is Not Land Rights’ author Gary Foley (cover)<\\/p>\\n\",\"link\":null,\"link_text\":\"Learn More\"},{\"type\":\"text\",\"text_format\":\"body\",\"use_intro\":false,\"text_intro\":\"\",\"text_content\":\" The Historical Context<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n Historically, the deep cultural, spiritual, and legal connection that First Nations peoples have with Country has been consistently disregarded, disrupted, and actively suppressed through colonisation. The dispossession of land and systemic attempts to dismantle cultural knowledge systems have had enduring and devastating effects – culturally, socially, and economically.<\\/p>\\n The Native Title Act 1993, introduced after the landmark Mabo case, marked a pivotal shift in Australian legal history by overturning the myth of Terra Nullius<\\/em> and acknowledging that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived on and cared for this land for millennia. It affirmed a form of traditional connection to land, but as Dr Gary Foley argues in Native Title is Not Land Rights<\\/em>, it fell far short of genuine land justice. Native Title is narrow in scope, fragile in its legal basis, and largely conditional upon First Nations people proving continuous connection under colonial legal standards, often at great cost.<\\/p>\\n Despite symbolic progress, the underlying structures of land control and development remain largely unchanged. Many communities remain excluded from meaningful land rights, and from decision-making processes that shape Country. This ongoing inequity highlights how far we still have to go.<\\/p>\\n As designers, we have a social, ethical, and cultural responsibility to acknowledge this legacy and work alongside Traditional Owners and First Peoples in ways that move beyond tokenism. The challenge is to honour Indigenous knowledge systems and lived experiences authentically, and to embed opportunities for cultural practices to thrive, ensuring that connection to Country is not only remembered, but actively sustained and celebrated today and into the future.<\\/p>\\n\",\"credit\":\"\",\"media_format\":\"image\",\"constrain_width_mobile\":true,\"image\":{\"ID\":4096,\"id\":4096,\"title\":\"IMG_2036\",\"filename\":\"IMG_2036-1.jpeg\",\"filesize\":1056078,\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/03\\/IMG_2036-1.jpeg\",\"link\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpengine.com\\/journal\\/co-design-with-traditional-owners-building-meaningful-partnerships-on-country\\/img_2036-2\\/\",\"alt\":\"\",\"author\":\"5\",\"description\":\"\",\"caption\":\"\",\"name\":\"img_2036-2\",\"status\":\"inherit\",\"uploaded_to\":4094,\"date\":\"2025-03-31 01:01:52\",\"modified\":\"2025-03-31 01:01:52\",\"menu_order\":0,\"mime_type\":\"image\\/jpeg\",\"type\":\"image\",\"subtype\":\"jpeg\",\"icon\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-includes\\/images\\/media\\/default.png\",\"width\":1536,\"height\":2048,\"sizes\":{\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/03\\/IMG_2036-1-150x150.jpeg\",\"thumbnail-width\":150,\"thumbnail-height\":150,\"medium\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/03\\/IMG_2036-1-225x300.jpeg\",\"medium-width\":225,\"medium-height\":300,\"medium_large\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/03\\/IMG_2036-1.jpeg\",\"medium_large-width\":768,\"medium_large-height\":1024,\"large\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/03\\/IMG_2036-1-900x1200.jpeg\",\"large-width\":900,\"large-height\":1200,\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/03\\/IMG_2036-1.jpeg\",\"1536x1536-width\":1152,\"1536x1536-height\":1536,\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/03\\/IMG_2036-1.jpeg\",\"2048x2048-width\":1536,\"2048x2048-height\":2048,\"full_width\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/03\\/IMG_2036-1.jpeg\",\"full_width-width\":1536,\"full_width-height\":2048,\"medium2\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/03\\/IMG_2036-1.jpeg\",\"medium2-width\":1536,\"medium2-height\":2048}},\"video\":\"\",\"use_caption\":false,\"caption\":\"\",\"link\":null,\"link_text\":\"Learn More\"}],\"acf_fc_layout\":\"colx2_text_image\"},{\"display\":true,\"column_positions\":\"text_left\",\"text_content\":\" BKK’s Approach to Co-Design<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n In our practice, the design and engagement team work alongside Traditional Owners to create space that enables their active participation throughout the design process. Together with Traditional Owners, we establish design principles and cultural themes that guide the direction of the work from the outset. We ensure Traditional Owners hold an active and respected voice throughout, with cultural knowledge shaping design in an authentic, place-based way.<\\/p>\\n Cultural input is embedded across the entire process-not just at key milestones-supporting deep, ongoing engagement. This is not a one-off exchange but a continuous, iterative cycle of dialogue, feedback, and cultural leadership that is repeated throughout the design journey. It requires shared responsibility across the design team, client, and stakeholders to move beyond symbolic gestures and deliver meaningful outcomes that honour cultural values and maintain connection to Country.<\\/p>\\n\",\"media_items\":[{\"format\":\"image\",\"image\":{\"ID\":4461,\"id\":4461,\"title\":\"BKK RAP Approach Diagram_02_journal\",\"filename\":\"BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_journal.jpg\",\"filesize\":48354,\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_journal.jpg\",\"link\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpengine.com\\/journal\\/co-design-with-traditional-owners-building-meaningful-partnerships-on-country\\/bkk-rap-approach-diagram_02_journal\\/\",\"alt\":\"\",\"author\":\"5\",\"description\":\"\",\"caption\":\"\",\"name\":\"bkk-rap-approach-diagram_02_journal\",\"status\":\"inherit\",\"uploaded_to\":4094,\"date\":\"2025-07-01 06:13:44\",\"modified\":\"2025-07-01 06:13:44\",\"menu_order\":0,\"mime_type\":\"image\\/jpeg\",\"type\":\"image\",\"subtype\":\"jpeg\",\"icon\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-includes\\/images\\/media\\/default.png\",\"width\":900,\"height\":614,\"sizes\":{\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_journal-150x150.jpg\",\"thumbnail-width\":150,\"thumbnail-height\":150,\"medium\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_journal-300x205.jpg\",\"medium-width\":300,\"medium-height\":205,\"medium_large\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_journal.jpg\",\"medium_large-width\":768,\"medium_large-height\":524,\"large\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_journal.jpg\",\"large-width\":900,\"large-height\":614,\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_journal.jpg\",\"1536x1536-width\":900,\"1536x1536-height\":614,\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_journal.jpg\",\"2048x2048-width\":900,\"2048x2048-height\":614,\"full_width\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_journal.jpg\",\"full_width-width\":900,\"full_width-height\":614,\"medium2\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_journal.jpg\",\"medium2-width\":900,\"medium2-height\":614}},\"video\":\"\",\"use_caption\":false,\"caption\":\"\"}],\"acf_fc_layout\":\"colx3_text_image\"},{\"display\":true,\"columns\":[{\"type\":\"media\",\"text_format\":\"body\",\"use_intro\":false,\"text_intro\":\"\",\"text_content\":\" BKK’s Approach to Co-Design<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n In our practice, the design and engagement team work alongside Traditional Owners to create space that enables their active participation throughout the design process. Together with Traditional Owners, we establish design principles and cultural themes that guide the direction of the work from the outset. We ensure Traditional Owners hold an active and respected voice throughout, with cultural knowledge shaping design in an authentic, place-based way. Cultural input is embedded across the entire process-not just at key milestones-supporting deep, ongoing engagement. This is not a one-off exchange but a continuous, iterative cycle of dialogue, feedback, and cultural leadership that is repeated throughout the design journey. It requires shared responsibility across the design team, client, and stakeholders to move beyond symbolic gestures and deliver meaningful outcomes that honour cultural values and maintain connection to Country.<\\/p>\\n\",\"credit\":\"\",\"media_format\":\"image\",\"constrain_width_mobile\":true,\"image\":{\"ID\":4463,\"id\":4463,\"title\":\"BKK Co-design Generic_Journal\",\"filename\":\"BKK-Co-design-Generic_Journal-1.jpg\",\"filesize\":110655,\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-Co-design-Generic_Journal-1.jpg\",\"link\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpengine.com\\/journal\\/co-design-with-traditional-owners-building-meaningful-partnerships-on-country\\/bkk-co-design-generic_journal-2\\/\",\"alt\":\"\",\"author\":\"5\",\"description\":\"\",\"caption\":\"\",\"name\":\"bkk-co-design-generic_journal-2\",\"status\":\"inherit\",\"uploaded_to\":4094,\"date\":\"2025-07-01 06:22:20\",\"modified\":\"2025-07-01 06:22:20\",\"menu_order\":0,\"mime_type\":\"image\\/jpeg\",\"type\":\"image\",\"subtype\":\"jpeg\",\"icon\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-includes\\/images\\/media\\/default.png\",\"width\":944,\"height\":1415,\"sizes\":{\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-Co-design-Generic_Journal-1-150x150.jpg\",\"thumbnail-width\":150,\"thumbnail-height\":150,\"medium\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-Co-design-Generic_Journal-1-200x300.jpg\",\"medium-width\":200,\"medium-height\":300,\"medium_large\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-Co-design-Generic_Journal-1.jpg\",\"medium_large-width\":768,\"medium_large-height\":1151,\"large\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-Co-design-Generic_Journal-1-801x1200.jpg\",\"large-width\":801,\"large-height\":1200,\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-Co-design-Generic_Journal-1.jpg\",\"1536x1536-width\":944,\"1536x1536-height\":1415,\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-Co-design-Generic_Journal-1.jpg\",\"2048x2048-width\":944,\"2048x2048-height\":1415,\"full_width\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-Co-design-Generic_Journal-1.jpg\",\"full_width-width\":944,\"full_width-height\":1415,\"medium2\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-Co-design-Generic_Journal-1.jpg\",\"medium2-width\":944,\"medium2-height\":1415}},\"video\":\"\",\"use_caption\":false,\"caption\":\"\",\"link\":null,\"link_text\":\"Learn More\"},{\"type\":\"text\",\"text_format\":\"body\",\"use_intro\":false,\"text_intro\":\"\",\"text_content\":\" Key Contributors to the Co-Design Process<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n The co-design process involves various contributors, each bringing valuable perspectives:<\\/p>\\n Traditional Owners – <\\/strong>Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and groups who have social, economic, and spiritual affiliations with the land and waters. As custodians of cultural knowledge, their trust must be established first. Even when shared, this knowledge remains their intellectual and cultural property, requiring ongoing permission for use.<\\/p>\\n First Nations Engagement Consultants<\\/strong> – These specialists facilitate engagement with the right tools and language to make the process accessible. They understand cultural protocols and knowledge, protecting cultural integrity and intellectual property inherent in Indigenous Design. They develop strategic methodologies to embed designs while navigating program and time constraints.<\\/p>\\n First Nation Designers<\\/strong> –\\u00a0First Nations Architects, Landscape Architects, and other design professionals bring both technical expertise and cultural sensitivity, allowing them to effectively translate cultural elements into design.<\\/p>\\n Design Team<\\/strong> –\\u00a0Architects, Landscape Architects, Urban Designers, and Wayfinding specialists provide expertise and technical knowledge. Their critical role is to advocate for and enable First Nations consultants to lead the co-design process, contributing as partners rather than leaders.<\\/p>\\n Consultants<\\/strong> –\\u00a0Structural Engineers, services engineers, and other technical specialists may not always be directly involved in engagement but benefit from being informed about outcomes. The most successful projects ensure findings are shared with the entire project team.<\\/p>\\n Community<\\/strong> –\\u00a0Indigenous community members bring invaluable perspectives and lived experience.<\\/p>\\n Traditional Owners<\\/strong> – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and groups who have social, economic, and spiritual affiliations with the land and waters. As custodians of cultural knowledge, their trust must be established first. Even when shared, this knowledge remains their intellectual and cultural property, requiring ongoing permission for use.<\\/p>\\n Client<\\/strong> – The client plays a key role in supporting the co-design process. While their level of involvement may vary, establishing this early is important. We encourage clients to participate in engagement activities to build cultural understanding and appreciate the value of working with Country. By recognising the importance of co-design, clients help uphold its integrity – enabling cultural outcomes to be celebrated both during the project and long after its completion.<\\/p>\\n\",\"credit\":\"\",\"media_format\":\"image\",\"constrain_width_mobile\":true,\"image\":{\"ID\":4459,\"id\":4459,\"title\":\"BKK RAP Approach Diagram_draft\",\"filename\":\"BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_med.jpg\",\"filesize\":173506,\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_med.jpg\",\"link\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpengine.com\\/journal\\/co-design-with-traditional-owners-building-meaningful-partnerships-on-country\\/bkk-rap-approach-diagram_draft-2\\/\",\"alt\":\"\",\"author\":\"5\",\"description\":\"\",\"caption\":\"BKK RAP Approach Diagram_draft\",\"name\":\"bkk-rap-approach-diagram_draft-2\",\"status\":\"inherit\",\"uploaded_to\":4094,\"date\":\"2025-07-01 05:23:30\",\"modified\":\"2025-07-01 05:23:30\",\"menu_order\":0,\"mime_type\":\"image\\/jpeg\",\"type\":\"image\",\"subtype\":\"jpeg\",\"icon\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-includes\\/images\\/media\\/default.png\",\"width\":1701,\"height\":1633,\"sizes\":{\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_med-150x150.jpg\",\"thumbnail-width\":150,\"thumbnail-height\":150,\"medium\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_med-300x288.jpg\",\"medium-width\":300,\"medium-height\":288,\"medium_large\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_med.jpg\",\"medium_large-width\":768,\"medium_large-height\":737,\"large\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_med-1200x1152.jpg\",\"large-width\":1200,\"large-height\":1152,\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_med.jpg\",\"1536x1536-width\":1536,\"1536x1536-height\":1475,\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_med.jpg\",\"2048x2048-width\":1701,\"2048x2048-height\":1633,\"full_width\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_med.jpg\",\"full_width-width\":1701,\"full_width-height\":1633,\"medium2\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/BKK-RAP-Approach-Diagram_02_med-1600x1536.jpg\",\"medium2-width\":1600,\"medium2-height\":1536}},\"video\":\"\",\"use_caption\":false,\"caption\":\"\",\"link\":null,\"link_text\":\"Learn More\"}],\"acf_fc_layout\":\"colx2_text_image\"},{\"acf_fc_layout\":\"intro\",\"display\":true,\"intro_text\":\"\",\"body_text\":\" BKK’s Commitments<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n Each engagement process is bespoke, with principles established collaboratively for each project. Our core commitments include:<\\/p>\\n Deep Listening <\\/strong>– We engage in initiatives that promote healing and build trust between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.<\\/p>\\n Transparency <\\/strong>– We commit to honest, open communication with Indigenous stakeholders.<\\/p>\\n Reciprocity <\\/strong>– We ensure our actions have a positive effect on Country, giving as much as we take, and only taking what we need.<\\/p>\\n Respect <\\/strong>– We acknowledge and respect the authority of Indigenous leaders and Elders, integrating their guidance and decisions into all stages of the project, allowing for traditional knowledge integration in meaningful ways.<\\/p>\\n Holding Space <\\/strong>– Project timelines allow for initial trust-building\\u00a0 to establish authentic and culturally appropriate engagement processes.<\\/p>\\n Looking Forward and Back <\\/strong>– We consider not just how buildings and public realms are designed, but how they will be used into the future, identifying opportunities for Aboriginal cultural practice and involving First Nations stakeholders in ongoing design, management, and care.<\\/p>\\n Cultural Awareness <\\/strong>– Just as a white card is needed to work on a construction site, we believe everyone should be accountable to a level of cultural awareness when working on Country. 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Our core commitments include:<\\/p>\\n Deep Listening – <\\/strong>We engage in initiatives that promote healing and build trust between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.<\\/p>\\n Transparency – <\\/strong>We commit to honest, open communication with Indigenous stakeholders, ensuring that expectations, limitations, and potential impacts are clearly discussed.<\\/p>\\n Reciprocity – <\\/strong>We ensure our actions have a positive effect on Country, giving as much as we take, and only taking what we need.<\\/p>\\n\",\"credit\":\"\",\"media_format\":\"image\",\"constrain_width_mobile\":true,\"image\":{\"ID\":4473,\"id\":4473,\"title\":\"MO_01318\",\"filename\":\"MO_01318-scaled.jpg\",\"filesize\":1930746,\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/MO_01318-scaled.jpg\",\"link\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpengine.com\\/journal\\/co-design-with-traditional-owners-building-meaningful-partnerships-on-country\\/mo_01318\\/\",\"alt\":\"\",\"author\":\"5\",\"description\":\"\",\"caption\":\"\",\"name\":\"mo_01318\",\"status\":\"inherit\",\"uploaded_to\":4094,\"date\":\"2025-07-10 04:27:23\",\"modified\":\"2025-07-10 04:27:23\",\"menu_order\":0,\"mime_type\":\"image\\/jpeg\",\"type\":\"image\",\"subtype\":\"jpeg\",\"icon\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-includes\\/images\\/media\\/default.png\",\"width\":1707,\"height\":2560,\"sizes\":{\"thumbnail\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/MO_01318-150x150.jpg\",\"thumbnail-width\":150,\"thumbnail-height\":150,\"medium\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/MO_01318-200x300.jpg\",\"medium-width\":200,\"medium-height\":300,\"medium_large\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/MO_01318-scaled.jpg\",\"medium_large-width\":768,\"medium_large-height\":1152,\"large\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/MO_01318-800x1200.jpg\",\"large-width\":800,\"large-height\":1200,\"1536x1536\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/MO_01318-scaled.jpg\",\"1536x1536-width\":1024,\"1536x1536-height\":1536,\"2048x2048\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/MO_01318-scaled.jpg\",\"2048x2048-width\":1366,\"2048x2048-height\":2048,\"full_width\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/MO_01318-scaled.jpg\",\"full_width-width\":1707,\"full_width-height\":2560,\"medium2\":\"https:\\/\\/bkkarchitects.wpenginepowered.com\\/wp-content\\/uploads\\/2025\\/07\\/MO_01318-1600x2400.jpg\",\"medium2-width\":1600,\"medium2-height\":2400}},\"video\":\"\",\"use_caption\":false,\"caption\":\"\",\"link\":null,\"link_text\":\"Learn More\"},{\"type\":\"text\",\"text_format\":\"body\",\"use_intro\":false,\"text_intro\":\"\",\"text_content\":\" The Value of Co-Design<\\/strong><\\/p>\\n Co-design demonstrates that sustained collaborative partnerships between designers, consultants, and Traditional Owners are effective in producing authentic, culturally appropriate, and socially beneficial places. Our co-design approach brings multiple values to BKK projects:<\\/p>\\n Cultural Authenticity <\\/strong>–\\u00a0Direct collaboration with Traditional Owners ensures design solutions are culturally appropriate and meaningful.<\\/p>\\n Enhanced Outcomes<\\/strong> – Projects genuinely reflect the meaning and significance of Country to First Nations peoples.<\\/p>\\n Ethical Practice<\\/strong> – We acknowledge our work occurs on Indigenous lands and waters, shaping our approach accordingly.<\\/p>\\n Risk Mitigation <\\/strong>– Cultural protocols are respected and properly observed throughout the project lifecycle.<\\/p>\\n Knowledge Exchange<\\/strong> – Our design practice is enriched while creating opportunities for Traditional Owners to embed culture for future generations.<\\/p>\\n Inclusive Spaces <\\/strong>– We create welcoming environments that foster belonging for all users.<\\/p>\\n Meaningful Relationships <\\/strong>– We build long-term connections with Traditional Owners and First Nations communities beyond individual projects.<\\/p>\\n Values Alignment<\\/strong> – Our practice demonstrates commitments to deep listening, transparency, reciprocity, respect, and cultural awareness.<\\/p>\\n Market Differentiation <\\/strong>– We position ourselves as a practice that authentically engages with Indigenous perspectives.<\\/p>\\n Social Responsibility <\\/strong>– We fulfill our ethical obligations, positioning BKK as a leader in culturally responsive design. Together, we explore ways to make people feel welcome and safe, creating experiences they want to advocate for and belong to \\u2013 transforming project delivery by shifting from building-first to people-first perspective.<\\/p>\\n\",\"credit\":\"\",\"media_format\":\"image\",\"constrain_width_mobile\":true,\"image\":false,\"video\":\"\",\"use_caption\":false,\"caption\":\"\",\"link\":null,\"link_text\":\"Learn More\"}],\"acf_fc_layout\":\"colx2_text_image\"}],\"display_related_stories\":true,\"related_stories\":[{\"wordpress_id\":3980,\"title\":\"From Commitment to Practice: Embedding First Nations Culture in Our Design Process\",\"slug\":\"from-commitment-to-practice-embedding-first-nations-culture-in-our-design-process\",\"publishedDate\":\"February 25th, 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“The role of design is not to lead but to enable Traditional Owners to embed culture for future generations and maintain continued connection to Country.” Understanding Co-Design Co-design is aspirational – a desire by institutions, organisations, and practitioners to work more relationally with others. While there is no single official UN definition, the concept is widely used across UN agencies in relation to inclusive decision-making, participatory design, and community engagement. In this framework, co-design refers to a collaborative approach where stakeholders, including end-users, actively participate in the design process to ensure solutions meet their needs and priorities. As a methodology, co-design brings together designers and non-designers (people with lived experiences or subject matter experts) to create project-specific solutions. It is: This represents a crucial transition from a building-first perspective to a purpose and people-first perspective. The ‘co’ part emphasises collaboration and shared decision-making power, while the ‘design’ part refers to generating, testing, and validating various concepts to create solutions. The Historical Context Historically, the deep cultural, spiritual, and legal connection that First Nations peoples have with Country has been consistently disregarded, disrupted, and actively suppressed through colonisation. The dispossession of land and systemic attempts to dismantle cultural knowledge systems have had enduring and devastating effects—culturally, socially, and economically. The Native Title Act 1993, introduced after the landmark Mabo case, marked a pivotal shift in Australian legal history by overturning the myth of Terra Nullius and acknowledging that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived on and cared for this land for millennia. It affirmed a form of traditional connection to land, but—as Dr Gary Foley argues in Native Title is Not Land Rights—it fell far short of genuine land justice. Native Title is narrow in scope, fragile in its legal basis, and largely conditional upon First Nations people proving continuous connection under colonial legal standards, often at great cost. Despite symbolic progress, the underlying structures of land control and development remain largely unchanged. Many communities remain excluded from meaningful land rights, and from decision-making processes that shape Country. This ongoing inequity highlights how far we still have to go. As designers, we have a social, ethical, and cultural responsibility to acknowledge this legacy and work alongside Traditional Owners and First Peoples in ways that move beyond tokenism. The challenge is to honour Indigenous knowledge systems and lived experiences authentically, and to embed opportunities for cultural practices to thrive—ensuring that connection to Country is not only remembered, but actively sustained and celebrated today and into the future. ‘Native Title is Not Land Rights’ author Gary Foley (cover) The Historical Context Historically, the deep cultural, spiritual, and legal connection that First Nations peoples have with Country has been consistently disregarded, disrupted, and actively suppressed through colonisation. The dispossession of land and systemic attempts to dismantle cultural knowledge systems have had enduring and devastating effects – culturally, socially, and economically. The Native Title Act 1993, introduced after the landmark Mabo case, marked a pivotal shift in Australian legal history by overturning the myth of Terra Nullius and acknowledging that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived on and cared for this land for millennia. It affirmed a form of traditional connection to land, but as Dr Gary Foley argues in Native Title is Not Land Rights, it fell far short of genuine land justice. Native Title is narrow in scope, fragile in its legal basis, and largely conditional upon First Nations people proving continuous connection under colonial legal standards, often at great cost. Despite symbolic progress, the underlying structures of land control and development remain largely unchanged. Many communities remain excluded from meaningful land rights, and from decision-making processes that shape Country. This ongoing inequity highlights how far we still have to go. As designers, we have a social, ethical, and cultural responsibility to acknowledge this legacy and work alongside Traditional Owners and First Peoples in ways that move beyond tokenism. The challenge is to honour Indigenous knowledge systems and lived experiences authentically, and to embed opportunities for cultural practices to thrive, ensuring that connection to Country is not only remembered, but actively sustained and celebrated today and into the future. BKK’s Approach to Co-Design In our practice, the design and engagement team work alongside Traditional Owners to create space that enables their active participation throughout the design process. Together with Traditional Owners, we establish design principles and cultural themes that guide the direction of the work from the outset. We ensure Traditional Owners hold an active and respected voice throughout, with cultural knowledge shaping design in an authentic, place-based way. Cultural input is embedded across the entire process-not just at key milestones-supporting deep, ongoing engagement. This is not a one-off exchange but a continuous, iterative cycle of dialogue, feedback, and cultural leadership that is repeated throughout the design journey. It requires shared responsibility across the design team, client, and stakeholders to move beyond symbolic gestures and deliver meaningful outcomes that honour cultural values and maintain connection to Country. BKK’s Approach to Co-Design In our practice, the design and engagement team work alongside Traditional Owners to create space that enables their active participation throughout the design process. Together with Traditional Owners, we establish design principles and cultural themes that guide the direction of the work from the outset. We ensure Traditional Owners hold an active and respected voice throughout, with cultural knowledge shaping design in an authentic, place-based way. Cultural input is embedded across the entire process-not just at key milestones-supporting deep, ongoing engagement. This is not a one-off exchange but a continuous, iterative cycle of dialogue, feedback, and cultural leadership that is repeated throughout the design journey. It requires shared responsibility across the design team, client, and stakeholders to move beyond symbolic gestures and deliver meaningful outcomes that honour cultural values and maintain connection to Country. Key Contributors to the Co-Design Process The co-design process involves various contributors, each bringing valuable perspectives: Traditional Owners – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and groups who have social, economic, and spiritual affiliations with the land and waters. As custodians of cultural knowledge, their trust must be established first. Even when shared, this knowledge remains their intellectual and cultural property, requiring ongoing permission for use. First Nations Engagement Consultants – These specialists facilitate engagement with the right tools and language to make the process accessible. They understand cultural protocols and knowledge, protecting cultural integrity and intellectual property inherent in Indigenous Design. They develop strategic methodologies to embed designs while navigating program and time constraints. First Nation Designers – First Nations Architects, Landscape Architects, and other design professionals bring both technical expertise and cultural sensitivity, allowing them to effectively translate cultural elements into design. Design Team – Architects, Landscape Architects, Urban Designers, and Wayfinding specialists provide expertise and technical knowledge. Their critical role is to advocate for and enable First Nations consultants to lead the co-design process, contributing as partners rather than leaders. Consultants – Structural Engineers, services engineers, and other technical specialists may not always be directly involved in engagement but benefit from being informed about outcomes. The most successful projects ensure findings are shared with the entire project team. Community – Indigenous community members bring invaluable perspectives and lived experience. Traditional Owners – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and groups who have social, economic, and spiritual affiliations with the land and waters. As custodians of cultural knowledge, their trust must be established first. Even when shared, this knowledge remains their intellectual and cultural property, requiring ongoing permission for use. Client – The client plays a key role in supporting the co-design process. While their level of involvement may vary, establishing this early is important. We encourage clients to participate in engagement activities to build cultural understanding and appreciate the value of working with Country. By recognising the importance of co-design, clients help uphold its integrity – enabling cultural outcomes to be celebrated both during the project and long after its completion. BKK’s Commitments Each engagement process is bespoke, with principles established collaboratively for each project. Our core commitments include: Deep Listening – We engage in initiatives that promote healing and build trust between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Transparency – We commit to honest, open communication with Indigenous stakeholders. Reciprocity – We ensure our actions have a positive effect on Country, giving as much as we take, and only taking what we need. Respect – We acknowledge and respect the authority of Indigenous leaders and Elders, integrating their guidance and decisions into all stages of the project, allowing for traditional knowledge integration in meaningful ways. Holding Space – Project timelines allow for initial trust-building to establish authentic and culturally appropriate engagement processes. Looking Forward and Back – We consider not just how buildings and public realms are designed, but how they will be used into the future, identifying opportunities for Aboriginal cultural practice and involving First Nations stakeholders in ongoing design, management, and care. Cultural Awareness – Just as a white card is needed to work on a construction site, we believe everyone should be accountable to a level of cultural awareness when working on Country. All our staff have undergone cultural awareness training with WWCHAC. BKK’s Commitments Each engagement process is bespoke, with principles established collaboratively for each project. Our core commitments include: Deep Listening – We engage in initiatives that promote healing and build trust between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Transparency – We commit to honest, open communication with Indigenous stakeholders, ensuring that expectations, limitations, and potential impacts are clearly discussed. Reciprocity – We ensure our actions have a positive effect on Country, giving as much as we take, and only taking what we need. The Value of Co-Design Co-design demonstrates that sustained collaborative partnerships between designers, consultants, and Traditional Owners are effective in producing authentic, culturally appropriate, and socially beneficial places. Our co-design approach brings multiple values to BKK projects: Cultural Authenticity – Direct collaboration with Traditional Owners ensures design solutions are culturally appropriate and meaningful. Enhanced Outcomes – Projects genuinely reflect the meaning and significance of Country to First Nations peoples. Ethical Practice – We acknowledge our work occurs on Indigenous lands and waters, shaping our approach accordingly. Risk Mitigation – Cultural protocols are respected and properly observed throughout the project lifecycle. Knowledge Exchange – Our design practice is enriched while creating opportunities for Traditional Owners to embed culture for future generations. Inclusive Spaces – We create welcoming environments that foster belonging for all users. Meaningful Relationships – We build long-term connections with Traditional Owners and First Nations communities beyond individual projects. Values Alignment – Our practice demonstrates commitments to deep listening, transparency, reciprocity, respect, and cultural awareness. Market Differentiation – We position ourselves as a practice that authentically engages with Indigenous perspectives. Social Responsibility – We fulfill our ethical obligations, positioning BKK as a leader in culturally responsive design. Together, we explore ways to make people feel welcome and safe, creating experiences they want to advocate for and belong to – transforming project delivery by shifting from building-first to people-first perspective.\\n
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