Mawambul supports the Sustainable Development Goals:
SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
Student accommodation that supports access to university life aligns with SDG 4. Delivering a sustainable building that embeds Connecting with Country principles into an urban precinct supports SDG 11.
Designing for the cultural safety of Indigenous students and staff supports SDG 10.
A 445 bed development located in the heart of the City of Newcastle. The project will deliver a contemporary and sustainable building to provide student accommodation that offers a high level of residential amenity, cultural safety and provide a convenient location within the University’s City Campus.
Mawambul were engaged to provide Indigenous engagement and design services, as well as advisory on cultural safety and capability for all aspects of the project delivery.
The project brings a strong focus on Designing and Connecting with Country to ensure that Indigenous students, staff, and community feel culturally safe and welcome in the space. Key considerations include incorporating strong references to the saltwater and freshwater, and recognising the significant changes to the foreshore. The design brings understanding that the space will be a part of Country. There is a focus on local species of flora and fauna throughout the space with some of their cultural, spiritual and ecological connections being shared. This broad, interconnected and relationship-based approach to designing with Country reflects the holistic and intertwined nature of Traditional Aboriginal philosophy and one that is required to grow industry understanding to ensure that Country is at the centre of design.
Image courtesy of Architectus