Papers by Michael Hromek
Architecture Australia Magazine, 2023
My role in the community is defined by two things, which community are we talking about, and what... more My role in the community is defined by two things, which community are we talking about, and what role am I expected to play?
The professions of design and architecture have undergone immense shifts over recent decades with... more The professions of design and architecture have undergone immense shifts over recent decades with a new receptivity to Indigenous skills and knowledge. As such universities are examining approaches to engaging Indigenous knowledges in these degrees. This paper explores how tertiary students of design and architecture can learn about Indigenous Australians, with a focus on spatial literacy. Firstly, we explore best practices in higher education curriculums, drawing from the work of scholars such as Watson (2013). Secondly, we discuss these practices in relation to the professions, referring to examples such as architect Kevin O'Brien ( https://koarchitects.com.au/ ) who draws on Indigenous concepts of space, and the service innovation approach to land rights by design firm 2nd Road ( https://www.secondroad.com.au/ ). Lastly, we reflect on our own efforts to embed Indigenous ways of knowing within our teaching. We draw from experience collaborating over a twelve month period to chan...
The design professions have undergone immense shifts over recent decades including an overdue, ne... more The design professions have undergone immense shifts over recent decades including an overdue, new receptivity to Indigenous skills and knowledge. Universities in Australia are currently examining approaches to engaging Indigenous knowledge in their degrees. This paper examines a project at at the University of Technology (UTS), supported by the institution-wide Centre for Advancement of Indigenous Knowledges and implemented across the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building. Specifically, the research asks how first year design and architecture students can learn about Indigenous perspectives on design, space, place and Country. We draw from literature on transition pedagogy as well as Indigenous education and analyse the student response to this project as it was implemented in 2015
Concealed in the strata of Australia are Indigenous stories and culture. Hromek, Hromek &... more Concealed in the strata of Australia are Indigenous stories and culture. Hromek, Hromek & Hromek are interested in the hidden histories of places. In Covered By Concrete, the artists attempt to engage with these obscured stories on Cockatoo Island at Underbelly Arts Festival. Can you sense this place’s spirit? This installation aims to investigate how a space can be reclaimed and Aboriginal culture be reflected on contemporary identities.With Siân Hromek & Michael Hromek. Concrete, film, signage, 2015
Architecture Bulletin, Sep 1, 2018
While many Australian indigenous communities may be associated with western desert regions or rem... more While many Australian indigenous communities may be associated with western desert regions or remote country towns, this paper explores the notion(s) of indigenous communities in relation to the inner city.Given the potential nature and range of assumptions about communities in general, the paper will focus on three specific aspects of indigenous 'involvement', the first of which addresses the overall notion of what constitutes community and thus what constitutes community in relation to indigenous populations? On the basis of this, and given that communities in general may be understood and/or perceived in a range of different ways, the second investigates how indigenous communities are often regarded as being enclosed or self-aggregated – almost as if there is a negative perspective from the outside looking in – and thus addresses the question why might it be assumed that these people have nothing to offer? In opposition to this, then, and given the potentially positive na...
While the notion of Indigenous education might well be thought of as a ‘composite’, made up of se... more While the notion of Indigenous education might well be thought of as a ‘composite’, made up of several parts or elements, this paper offers four brief ideas about potential differences in relation to such education. The first part suggests that Indigenous persons might vary from highly intelligent beings to those who might not ‘understand’ or accept the ‘white’ educational process, and thus how education might be ‘diversified’ rather than similar. The second advances the idea that Indigenous people might well have specific and different issues, such that ‘we’ might not simply teach, but learn from Indigenous persons in relation to notions of ‘their’ culture, society and identities. The third identifies the notion that while education might well be associated with primary or secondary schools, or notions of ‘external’ education, the issue of university teaching might well be both significant and contrasting in relation to Indigenous culture. This also questions the differences betwe...
While the idea of urban icons might be about producing iconic buildings in terms of form and shap... more While the idea of urban icons might be about producing iconic buildings in terms of form and shape, the specific use of high-end materials, or a particular strategy for the organisation of urban spaces, places often have significant meanings through very different – and often underappreciated – means. Significantly, the people who inhabit them and live in them thus give the place a distinctiveness that contributes to its iconic status.Considering the above, this paper will look at a particular example of this – The Block in Redfern, Sydney – which is considered to be significant for Indigenous people. Yet while many recognise the contribution of Australia's Indigenous population toward the making of this iconic place, at the same time other forces – such as gentrification, rental prices, political power struggles, etc. – are actively working against the long-term formalisation of this place. This paper will thus analyse the past, present and prospective future of The Block, and ...
All Australian engineering projects are built on Aboriginal lands that have their own diverse sto... more All Australian engineering projects are built on Aboriginal lands that have their own diverse stories, peoples and designs; yet in many cases, fostering meaningful relationships between these Aboriginal communities and a projects potential outcomes (social, economic and the like) is a challenge that seems to sit outside the projects themselves.
This paper will briefly discuss the challenges presented by i) project scopes or timeframes that often do not align with Aboriginal community needs, such that ii) an engagements authenticity can be affected, restricted or put in the 'too hard basket'.
The paper will then present an inclusive Aboriginal-led co-design methodology that involves the following Aboriginal Design Principles: a) any Indigenous content will be led by Indigenous people, b) community should be involved in the designing where possible, and c) ensuring authentic outcomes for Aboriginal people, project deliverers and clients. The...
Architecture Bulletin, 2018
Unearthing hidden stories of sites through sensing the materiality of Country.
The design professions have undergone immense shifts over recent decades including an overdue, ne... more The design professions have undergone immense shifts over recent decades including an overdue, new receptivity to Indigenous skills and knowledge. Universities in Australia are currently examining approaches to engaging Indigenous knowledge in their degrees. This paper examines a project at at the University of Technology (UTS), supported by the institution-wide Centre for Advancement of Indigenous Knowledges and implemented across the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building. Specifically, the research asks how first year design students can learn about Indigenous perspectives on design, space, place and Country. We draw from literature on transition pedagogy as well as Indigenous education and analyse the student response to this project as it was implemented in 2015.
The project considers the latent history of Aboriginal occupation hidden under the strata of urba... more The project considers the latent history of Aboriginal occupation hidden under the strata of urban Australia. It questions whether the spirit of a place can still be perceived regardless of the colonising or 'smoothing over' of the natural landscape. The installation investigates whether a space can be reclaimed and Aboriginal culture reflected on contemporary identities. Additionally, it explores whether engagement with signage of a site, in this instance, Cockatoo Island, might bring understanding of obscured stories in order that non-Indigenous people might come to a new comprehension of a place. The creation of a spatial map of the island gave the opportunity for viewers to reconsider pre-colonial usage. The use of concrete impressed with local native flora and then burnt out using traditional Indigenous fire practices offers a paradox; and a relationship to the name of the work. The work was funded by grants from NAVA, Arts NSW and a BrandX workspace. It was featured on Koori Radio, FBI Radio and Radio National. On completion of the Underbelly Arts Festival, where the work was originally exhibited, the Trustees of Cockatoo Island expressed interest in amending the signage to incorporate Indigenous content, and permanently installing the work as an ongoing installation on the island.
While the idea of urban icons might be about producing iconic buildings in terms of form and shap... more While the idea of urban icons might be about producing iconic buildings in terms of form and shape, the specific use of high-end materials, or a particular strategy for the organisation of urban spaces, places often have significant meanings through very different – and often underappreciated – means. Significantly, the people who inhabit them and live in them thus give the place a distinctiveness that contributes to its iconic status. Considering the above, this paper will look at a particular example of this – The Block in Redfern, Sydney – which is considered to be significant for Indigenous people. Yet while many recognise the contribution of Australia’s Indigenous population toward the making of this iconic place, at the same time other forces – such as gentrification, rental prices, political power struggles, etc. – are actively working against the long-term formalisation of this place. This paper will thus analyse the past, present and prospective future of The Block, and consider how is Redfern and The Block considered to be an iconic place for Indigenous and non-indigenous people? Also significant is the notion that The Block has been demolished, and the majority of its Indigenous population have been forced out or relocated, and that there is a current approved proposal to rebuild The Block with undefined plans to re-house a portion of its previous Indigenous community. Given this, what is the potential future for The Block in terms of retaining its meaning as an Indigenous icon and establishing appropriate community values?
If Indigenous education might well be thought of as ‘composite’, made up of several parts or elem... more If Indigenous education might well be thought of as ‘composite’, made up of several parts or elements, this paper offers three potential differences in relation to such education. The first part briefly analyses education in general – considering self-learning, the notion of ‘position’, and the very idea of transformative learning – but also suggests that Indigenous persons might be highly intelligent beings who might not accept the ‘white’ educational process, and thus how education might be ‘diversified’ rather than similar. The second considers the idea of university education, and how specific issues might well be ‘applied’ to Indigenous persons, such as Indigenous ‘houses of learning’. And the third – quite contrary to university education – analyses the possibility of vocational educational and training re Indigenous people. A number of sources are analysed, and the brief conclusion suggests what might be understood about Indigenous education.
12th Australasian Urban History Planning History Conference, Feb 2, 2014
"While many Australian indigenous communities may be associated with western desert regions or re... more "While many Australian indigenous communities may be associated with western desert regions or remote country towns, this paper explores the notion(s) of indigenous communities in relation to the inner city.
Given the potential nature and range of assumptions about communities in general, the paper will focus on three specific aspects of indigenous ‘involvement’, the first of which addresses the overall notion of what constitutes community and thus what constitutes community in relation to indigenous populations? On the basis of this, and given that communities in general may be understood and/or perceived in a range of different ways, the second investigates how indigenous communities are often regarded as being enclosed or self-aggregated – almost as if there is a negative perspective from the outside looking in – and thus addresses the question why might it be assumed that these people have nothing to offer? In opposition to this, then, and given the potentially positive nature of indigenous communities, the third, and perhaps most important section of the paper, involves a close examination of a particular urban indigenous population, that of Redfern in NSW, in order to advance the view that such a community might engender issues, qualities and/or values that can be utilised to enhance other and different communities.
This paper therefore addresses the idea of indigenous communities from two quite different perspectives. The first interrogates the negative approach of the outsiders looking at indigenous communities and, in a sense, mentally pushing them away, as if to say ‘they don’t have anything to do with me’, while the second, and more positive approach, advances the proposition that there are indeed different and additional community elements within indigenous populations that might seriously enhance the nature of ‘ordinary’ communities.
"
Conference Presentations by Michael Hromek
World Engineers Convention (WEC) , 2019
In an Australian context, all engineering projects are built on Aboriginal lands that have their ... more In an Australian context, all engineering projects are built on Aboriginal lands that have their own diverse stories, peoples and designs; yet in many cases, fostering meaningful relationships between these Aboriginal communities and projects' potential outcomes (social, economic and the like) is a challenge that seems to sit outside the projects themselves. This paper will briefly discuss the challenges presented by i) project scopes or timeframes that often do not align with Aboriginal community needs, such that ii) an engagement's authenticity can be affected, restricted or put in the 'too hard' basket and not done.
The paper will then present an inclusive Aboriginal-led co-design methodology that involves the following Aboriginal Design Principles: a) any Indigenous content will be led by Indigenous people, b) community should be involved in the designing where possible, and c) ensuring authentic outcomes for Aboriginal people, project deliverers and clients.
The paper will present a case study that successfully included cultural design in project solutions, the Southern Program Alliance (Melbourne). The case studies will demonstrate how engaging authentically with local Aboriginal Design Knowledge leads to culturally and economically empowering Aboriginal communities while also providing strong built environment outcomes that incorporate the area's diverse viewpoints
Creating contexts for learning in Technology Education
While the notion of education is quite broad, a teacher must consider the idea of Indigenous educ... more While the notion of education is quite broad, a teacher must consider the idea of Indigenous education. From this paper's perspective, then, two aspects are in need of further consideration. First is the idea of non-Indigenous people teaching Indigenous people; and second is the idea that Indigenous people know completely different things from a non-indigenous perspective, and hence can 'teach' the non-indigenous quite different ideas and knowledge that may not have been thought about or even valued in our mainstream classrooms. So while some may consider Indigenous people in the classroom as simply just students, at the same time is the significant idea that Indigenous people have completely different kinds of notions in terms of what they are thinking. Hence this paper is not only about teaching Indigenous people, but also the notion of learning from Indigenous people. As such this paper questions how might the non-Indigenous best learn from the Indigenous? How can we promote a better understanding of Indigenous ideas, values and culture in the classroom in a culturally appropriate manner? This paper suggests that working closer with Indigenous teachers and knowledge-keepers at all levels of education may offer a significant enhancement in terms of our student understanding of Australian Indigenous culture.
With the idea of “liveable cities” encompassing a broad variety of considerations – from assumed ... more With the idea of “liveable cities” encompassing a broad variety of considerations – from assumed positive values such as social benefit, community integration, and significant architectural developments to negative connotations such as poverty, homelessness, lack of amenity, and thus the very idea of necessary improvement – this paper will address a particular aspect of liveability through the specific example of Redfern in NSW. Long considered to be an Aboriginal meeting place in the inner city, and often described as the ‘Black Capital of Australia’, the fact is that many consider Redfern, and more specifically the location within it known as The Block, to be full of indigenous people, and thus a potentially dangerous place to go and an area ‘not to be visited by the non-indigenous’. While this is a contemporary misconception of the mostly migrant-filled suburb, many still consider the idea of The Block as both having a negative effect on the suburb and, via potentially prejudicial views, as being essentially 'unliveable'.
This paper argues, however, that, while not immediately visible, there are indeed significant positive aspects contained within the urban indigenous community of The Block that actually constitute a place within the city that is considerably liveable for the actual residents. As such the presentation will analyse the aspects that make Redfern liveable for its indigenous population, and will formulate an argument that the notion of The Block – as '100% indigenous' – has been the key factor in Redfern's ability to maintain strong and continuous indigenous involvement.
While it should be noted that, as of 2011, The Block has been demolished and its indigenous residents moved out, the land is still under the control of the Aboriginal Housing Company, and there are approved plans to rebuild The Block and rehouse some of its previous indigenous residents, thus helping aboriginal culture and identity keep a foothold in a place that is not only deeply entwined with indigenous history, but also a place that is rapidly changing in the face of contemporary inner city pressures. Of significance are the proposed art galleries, artist residents, and other places of employment for indigenous people, that may have the potential to change the very notion of Redfern itself, bringing new and different people to the place and thus engaging with Aboriginal culture in a substantially different – and positive – manner.
The paper will thus address the potential future development known as the Pemulwuy project, arguing that it will not only change the immediate area in terms of the liveability of its indigenous population, but also significantly alter the overall notion of Redfern as being a 'place not to go for the non-indigenous'. Such a development might thus address a larger notion of the capacity of Australia's indigenous populations to enhance liveability in our cities.
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Papers by Michael Hromek
This paper will briefly discuss the challenges presented by i) project scopes or timeframes that often do not align with Aboriginal community needs, such that ii) an engagements authenticity can be affected, restricted or put in the 'too hard basket'.
The paper will then present an inclusive Aboriginal-led co-design methodology that involves the following Aboriginal Design Principles: a) any Indigenous content will be led by Indigenous people, b) community should be involved in the designing where possible, and c) ensuring authentic outcomes for Aboriginal people, project deliverers and clients. The...
Given the potential nature and range of assumptions about communities in general, the paper will focus on three specific aspects of indigenous ‘involvement’, the first of which addresses the overall notion of what constitutes community and thus what constitutes community in relation to indigenous populations? On the basis of this, and given that communities in general may be understood and/or perceived in a range of different ways, the second investigates how indigenous communities are often regarded as being enclosed or self-aggregated – almost as if there is a negative perspective from the outside looking in – and thus addresses the question why might it be assumed that these people have nothing to offer? In opposition to this, then, and given the potentially positive nature of indigenous communities, the third, and perhaps most important section of the paper, involves a close examination of a particular urban indigenous population, that of Redfern in NSW, in order to advance the view that such a community might engender issues, qualities and/or values that can be utilised to enhance other and different communities.
This paper therefore addresses the idea of indigenous communities from two quite different perspectives. The first interrogates the negative approach of the outsiders looking at indigenous communities and, in a sense, mentally pushing them away, as if to say ‘they don’t have anything to do with me’, while the second, and more positive approach, advances the proposition that there are indeed different and additional community elements within indigenous populations that might seriously enhance the nature of ‘ordinary’ communities.
"
Conference Presentations by Michael Hromek
The paper will then present an inclusive Aboriginal-led co-design methodology that involves the following Aboriginal Design Principles: a) any Indigenous content will be led by Indigenous people, b) community should be involved in the designing where possible, and c) ensuring authentic outcomes for Aboriginal people, project deliverers and clients.
The paper will present a case study that successfully included cultural design in project solutions, the Southern Program Alliance (Melbourne). The case studies will demonstrate how engaging authentically with local Aboriginal Design Knowledge leads to culturally and economically empowering Aboriginal communities while also providing strong built environment outcomes that incorporate the area's diverse viewpoints
This paper argues, however, that, while not immediately visible, there are indeed significant positive aspects contained within the urban indigenous community of The Block that actually constitute a place within the city that is considerably liveable for the actual residents. As such the presentation will analyse the aspects that make Redfern liveable for its indigenous population, and will formulate an argument that the notion of The Block – as '100% indigenous' – has been the key factor in Redfern's ability to maintain strong and continuous indigenous involvement.
While it should be noted that, as of 2011, The Block has been demolished and its indigenous residents moved out, the land is still under the control of the Aboriginal Housing Company, and there are approved plans to rebuild The Block and rehouse some of its previous indigenous residents, thus helping aboriginal culture and identity keep a foothold in a place that is not only deeply entwined with indigenous history, but also a place that is rapidly changing in the face of contemporary inner city pressures. Of significance are the proposed art galleries, artist residents, and other places of employment for indigenous people, that may have the potential to change the very notion of Redfern itself, bringing new and different people to the place and thus engaging with Aboriginal culture in a substantially different – and positive – manner.
The paper will thus address the potential future development known as the Pemulwuy project, arguing that it will not only change the immediate area in terms of the liveability of its indigenous population, but also significantly alter the overall notion of Redfern as being a 'place not to go for the non-indigenous'. Such a development might thus address a larger notion of the capacity of Australia's indigenous populations to enhance liveability in our cities.
This paper will briefly discuss the challenges presented by i) project scopes or timeframes that often do not align with Aboriginal community needs, such that ii) an engagements authenticity can be affected, restricted or put in the 'too hard basket'.
The paper will then present an inclusive Aboriginal-led co-design methodology that involves the following Aboriginal Design Principles: a) any Indigenous content will be led by Indigenous people, b) community should be involved in the designing where possible, and c) ensuring authentic outcomes for Aboriginal people, project deliverers and clients. The...
Given the potential nature and range of assumptions about communities in general, the paper will focus on three specific aspects of indigenous ‘involvement’, the first of which addresses the overall notion of what constitutes community and thus what constitutes community in relation to indigenous populations? On the basis of this, and given that communities in general may be understood and/or perceived in a range of different ways, the second investigates how indigenous communities are often regarded as being enclosed or self-aggregated – almost as if there is a negative perspective from the outside looking in – and thus addresses the question why might it be assumed that these people have nothing to offer? In opposition to this, then, and given the potentially positive nature of indigenous communities, the third, and perhaps most important section of the paper, involves a close examination of a particular urban indigenous population, that of Redfern in NSW, in order to advance the view that such a community might engender issues, qualities and/or values that can be utilised to enhance other and different communities.
This paper therefore addresses the idea of indigenous communities from two quite different perspectives. The first interrogates the negative approach of the outsiders looking at indigenous communities and, in a sense, mentally pushing them away, as if to say ‘they don’t have anything to do with me’, while the second, and more positive approach, advances the proposition that there are indeed different and additional community elements within indigenous populations that might seriously enhance the nature of ‘ordinary’ communities.
"
The paper will then present an inclusive Aboriginal-led co-design methodology that involves the following Aboriginal Design Principles: a) any Indigenous content will be led by Indigenous people, b) community should be involved in the designing where possible, and c) ensuring authentic outcomes for Aboriginal people, project deliverers and clients.
The paper will present a case study that successfully included cultural design in project solutions, the Southern Program Alliance (Melbourne). The case studies will demonstrate how engaging authentically with local Aboriginal Design Knowledge leads to culturally and economically empowering Aboriginal communities while also providing strong built environment outcomes that incorporate the area's diverse viewpoints
This paper argues, however, that, while not immediately visible, there are indeed significant positive aspects contained within the urban indigenous community of The Block that actually constitute a place within the city that is considerably liveable for the actual residents. As such the presentation will analyse the aspects that make Redfern liveable for its indigenous population, and will formulate an argument that the notion of The Block – as '100% indigenous' – has been the key factor in Redfern's ability to maintain strong and continuous indigenous involvement.
While it should be noted that, as of 2011, The Block has been demolished and its indigenous residents moved out, the land is still under the control of the Aboriginal Housing Company, and there are approved plans to rebuild The Block and rehouse some of its previous indigenous residents, thus helping aboriginal culture and identity keep a foothold in a place that is not only deeply entwined with indigenous history, but also a place that is rapidly changing in the face of contemporary inner city pressures. Of significance are the proposed art galleries, artist residents, and other places of employment for indigenous people, that may have the potential to change the very notion of Redfern itself, bringing new and different people to the place and thus engaging with Aboriginal culture in a substantially different – and positive – manner.
The paper will thus address the potential future development known as the Pemulwuy project, arguing that it will not only change the immediate area in terms of the liveability of its indigenous population, but also significantly alter the overall notion of Redfern as being a 'place not to go for the non-indigenous'. Such a development might thus address a larger notion of the capacity of Australia's indigenous populations to enhance liveability in our cities.
The first is, to some degree, self-evident: negative connotations associated with societal issues such as poverty, homelessness, lack of amenity, and so forth, which suggest, again for the majority, the very idea of necessary improvement and ongoing development in order to rectify and ameliorate such ‘detriment’ for society as a whole.
The second, though, is less societally directed and more individual and community-based, as well as perhaps being defined by certain notions of cultural determinants, ‘class consciousness’, and ‘who it is we are – and who it is we don’t want to be’! It thus constitutes a duality, a ‘two sides of the coin’ set of likes and dislikes, acceptances and refusals, intentions and rejections. As such, it is simultaneously positive and negative, for certain issues and developments and potential improvements, and against others, and thus represents how certain communities or groups or individuals are self-contained and self-reinforcing, endorsing their views – which are taken for granted – and disputing other, and different, and perhaps oppositional views, which are, of course, to be rejected! Quality and communal needs and ‘wellness’ and benefit are what I want for me and for my community; but this does not mean that I would accept what you want!
The paper will thus pose the questions, ‘what constitutes liveability?’ and for whom does this apply? Is liveability that which the individual and/or specific community thinks is viable, or should it encompass a much broader range of aspects, applying to social issues as a whole? Considering a city is made up of diverse groupings from different socio-economic and socio-cultural backgrounds, how might a city actually constitute the notion of liveability or, as ‘individual’ dimensions might suggest, un-liveability? Hence, we might ask, is liveability beyond the individual, beyond the specific community, and beyond the cultural aspects of a multi-racial society? Or is it a statistical notion, where, if 85% are living well and 15% are not, then liveability is being met? Or is it an economic control – I’m rich and you’re not – where material and social aspects are determined by those with power? Liveability, we might then suggest, is a balancing act between different communities, cultures, socio-economic groupings, and governmental control – although what the balance is at any given time is a significantly varying aspect.