Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre Cultural Codesign

The Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre was developed and delivered during a time of Treaty discussions, within a contemporary context of place-centred design. The project sought to create a benchmark in culturally responsive design by partnering with Traditional Owners to embed their aspirations within the architectural and landscape fabric. Working in partnership through a codesign process ensured the Elders were able to direct how cultural knowledge was to be reflected in the design outcome. Elders worked directly with the design team to translate their aspirations into design outcomes as part of a commitment to Indigenous-led design.

The design response celebrates; the representation of a Kingfisher of significant scale on the building’s main street façade as a representation of the project's sustainability aspirations; water ribbon inspired patterning in a water play splash pad area- reflecting the water systems proximate to the site; and a cultural gathering space for yarning and Cultural practice, returning a practice that existed in the region prior to colonisation. This integrated response sought to reveal layers of culture, memory and knowledge systems that reflect the world’s oldest continuous living culture

Through a process of working in partnership with Elders, the design response is an exemplar of culturally responsive design, both in the process of engagement and design translation. It increases cultural awareness and recognition of cultural heritage in the city’s built and natural environment; demonstrates to Indigenous people that they and their culture is valued and respected; promotes belonging to place and increases culturally safety; provides a culturally appropriate place for gathering and ceremony; reveals to non-Indigenous people layers of history and memory of Indigenous peoples; amplifies Indigenous knowledge and culture ; supports self-determination and capacity building in culturally responsive design.

The expression of the sacred kingfisher embedded into the main street façade of the building is derived from the knowledge shared by Wurundjeri Elders that the kingfisher only returns to pristine waterways. The kingfisher is symbolic of the various aspirational environmental initiatives embedded in the building design and the swimming pool water filtration systems. Various aspects of the kingfisher were incorporated in the design resolution. The representation of its form was created through a series of metal rods of three varying lengths. This helped create a 3D dimensionality and express the bird in flight. The interpretation of a dynamic rather than perched kingfisher was considered important, as this reflects its seasonal migratory nature. This concept was further enhanced through the shadows cast by the metal rods, which vary throughout the day as the sun moves across its location on the Western façade. The metal rods are coloured in the 3 dominate colours of the kingfisher- teal blue, black and ochre. The resulting installation is three meters high and five meters wide, creating a substantial marker along busy Victoria Road and giving the new Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre a distinct culturally responsive identity.