The 3D concept

My Final Reflection

My final reflection for this project is that designing to empower indigenous people while also seeking to improve the government is hard; it is a risk as many pessimistic people believe there to be few solutions to assist the Aborigines in today's society. I believe this programme has the ability to generate a positive outcome, whilst maintaining a reputation within the community. 

The architectural is non-site specific and does have some interactive holes in the function of the space, however, I still believe it to be a successful addressing of the brief, a pleasing structure, a powerful and motivated strategy and an overall well-distributed project outcome.

The Final Presentation

The Dreamt Network Advertisement

This clip is an advertisement for the Dreamt Network. The purpose to appeal to Australians who seek change and improve in their country. The focus is upon primary school education, appealing to parents who make up a large amount of the population.

The Meeting Circle Rotation Mechanism in motion

This clip contains an example of how the rotation mechanism of the meeting circle works. This was made using the 1:50 model constructed for the presentation of the Dreamt Network.

Watch this clip twice! First time, watch the rotating elements. Second time, watch the shadow beneath the structure.

Using the Space

The use of the space is extremely important. I think that supervision will always be necessary from a teaching point of view, however, children will be able to independently interact with the space to have their own personal experience. With their device, their classmates and a whole new outdoor learning opportunity, children will tell their parents about the new network.

Elders of existing indigenous tribes can meet around the circles in ANY community; if they are comfortable, they may teleconference with other meeting circles or express their opinions or concerns to their local members. 

These Meeting Circles could become the new Petition in communities

Gesture Recognition and Spatial Interaction

Communicating the design of the architectural entity in the Dreamt Network will be the key to its success. I am planning to create realistic renders, showing people using the space in the way that it is intended.

Hand gestures will be a main focus for the users of the space. They will need to understand the power they will have over their environment. The sun shade will have three pre-set positions which will be available at verbal request. Otherwise, the gesture recognition cameras will allow for the manual setting of the shade position to personalise or improve the space when in use.

The Meaning and the Logo

The Parliament House of Australia has acknowledged the existence of Indigenous culture and the significance in their design to a small extent.

However, the purpose of the Dreamt Network is to spread the capital and what it means; to distribute the ideologies that accompany our nation.


The Dreamt Network is to become a symbol of equality, education and public voice in Australia's growing culture. The new logo for this network is as below:

The logo will feature on the MeetMic, television advertisements, lessons, application forms and the network website.

Technical Drawings via Solidworks

The construction of the digital Meeting Circle will be possible using a multitude of materials. These will range depending on WHERE the circle is being constructed. The available/local materials will shape the aesthetics of the space including rusted but sound metals, timber, scrap metals, cast iron, and natural earth.




The rotating mechanism took time and resolution in order for it to become a functioning entity. The success of the mechanism will sit under the weight distribution and choice of light-weight materials for the filter device (the top most cover on the rotating axis). In some regional situations, recycled PVC may assist with this.

Resolution of the Rotation Mechanism

Careful resolution of the rotation mechanism was vital to ensure the space works in model representation and at a real 1:1 scale. The load created by the shelter around the single axis will create shearing forces between the two shade elements.

These shearing forces will require counteracting to eliminate the chance of the structure failing after construction. The addition of a railing beneath the lower shades will create neutralising forces to allow it to stand.

Telling the Story

The best way to communicate my idea during presentation will be through a story. Telling stories is a tradition that has existed in all cultures for thousands of years. However, indigenous Australians pride themselves in their stories; beauty through simplicity.

The story will be as follows:


1. Australian Parliament is unbalanced...
The people recognise only one Indigenous Australian MP in a ‘multicultural’ society.

2. The Government tried and failed to re-empower marginalised indigenous culture and contribution.

3. A solution is sought out...
The youth of the nation become the focus; the future leaders and members of tomorrow’s democracy.

4.The public and private primary school children of Australia are educated differently.
Focuses upon equality and better understanding of culture
The older generations’ of the public and their voices begin to fall on open ears.
5. Australian Parliament is strengthened by real public interaction and influence.
More indigenous members are voted in with majority public support.





6. The Intervention/Proactive step taken becomes recognised nationally and is associated strongly with Australian Parliament.
Petitions and signatures are replaced with the individual voices of each electorate.


7. The Capital of Australia and the ideologies it maintains are distributed.
A new part of Australian culture is accepted as the old and new combine to create a positive and noticeable outcome.

The Final Development of the MeetMic

The final development and creation of prototype for the MeetMic has taken place. The dotted design is to represent Indigenous art in a three-dimensional way.

The device must be identifiable; people must see this device and know exactly what it is for and what the wearer is doing. Children will be able to keep theirs in the classroom under teacher supervision. 

The size/scale of the device is still under dispute as to whether there should be different sizes for children and adult devices. This will be researched and product tested further.

Further Design Development

Adding the third dimension of a rotating sun shade will activate and encourage the use of space further.

A dome frame (most likely to be an I-beam) over the top of the space with a second one perpendicular. Gesture recognition cameras are to be attached to the underside of this strong framework.The rotation mechanism is to be supported by this frame and housed near the centre axis of the design.

As can be seen, the ground indent will allow for two children or one fully grown adult to sit on the comfortable ground material.

The design must remain versatile to weather conditions but remain comfortable to all users.

Indigenous Rights and Empowerment

This new network will be an Australian Government Initiative. What it will represent is the re-education of children to be more accepting and understanding of culture. The underlining implication of this will be to give more indigenous Australians the means to become members of Parliament in the future. An idea for the network slogan is:

The following is a conceptual/experimental logo for the Dreamt Network:

Language, cultural and spiritual identity (articles 11–13)

Culture is important to our peoples. These rights protect our cultures and identities. This means we have:

• The right to practice and revitalise our cultures and to have our cultural property protected.
• The right to our religious and spiritual traditions.
• The right to our languages, histories and ways of thinking about the world.

Education, information and employment (articles 14–17)

Education, information and employment rights will empower our communities. We have:

• The right to access the same standards of education as all other Australians.
• The right to culturally appropriate education in our own language.
• The right to ensure that media and public information reflects our cultures and our diversity in a dignified way.
• The right to the same employment rights as other Australians.

http://www.hreoc.gov.au/declaration_indigenous/declaration_short_version.html

As can be seen from my research above, Aborigines are expected to be given equal rights in the eyes of Australians and the Government. Therefore, it makes sense for them to have a more equal representation in Parliament. By children understanding where all these cultures came from at an early age, they see fitting to vote for an indigenous candidate in future when the time is right and policies can correct.

The Architectural Component and Experience

The slope of the space needs to be noticeable but not overly noticeable.
The design should have a reduced footprint upon the land on which it stands.
The users must be able to view the available screen to participate in the lessons. It is important that sight lines are not obstructed, therefore, a higher visual prompt should be made available

A fire and water component will be made by centre piece of the design; water over LED screens on the outside with an eco-flame burning in the centre.

This creates a strong feeling of tradition, connects with my group's infrastructure idea (AQUICK) and offers a gentle lighting source in the evening.

I have also had the idea of an adjustable sun shade; adaptable to the users of the space and the weather conditions.This will require a strong rotating mechanism around a specific axis. The question remains as to whether it should be completely enclosed by this shelter or 'semi-open' to the elements like a traditional meeting circle.

The MeetMic - Increasing Experience and Interaction

The development and proper use of the MeetMic is important to the success of the final outcome. The device production and distribution will be funded by the Australian Government. They will be available to all primary school students, as well as voters and committee members (whom must apply).

MeetMic Concept Elevation

The device will consist of a large ON/OFF button containing the imprint of the Network logo; a microphone for the personal use  of the wearer; and a personal speaker for the wearer hear the prompts of the digital network e.g. child can hear the current lesson of indigenous culture. The design is derived from the abstract representation of the meeting circle.

3D representation of the MeetMic

The idea of a clothes clip to attach to people's shirts will allow for the microphone and speaker to remain within a good proximity of the user's mouth/ears.

Form Experimentation

The idea of using the Meeting Circle as a conceptual basis to construct a pleasing but humble form is a process of experimentation. The beauty of the circle is the endless shape; the side-less and equal form.

The scale of the space will dictate it versatility in various environments, as well as the feeling experienced by an user witnessing or entering the structure.

A dome-like shape represents the idea of a circle but also the traditional shelter of the indigenous people. This will be a strong basis to build upon.

Revised Concept and Strategy

This concept is to create a space of equal and careful proportions. It must be engaging and contain multiple digital elements.




The data for the programmes run in the space will be transferred via the existing water infrastructure as per group plan.


Vegetation and natural shade will be a strong part of this design to keep it open and well ventilated.


The needs of the space will involve sensitivity to culture; to children; to students; to voters; and the community alike. There can be no discrimination as to the users, only the device which they require to use the space.
Primary schools would be an excellent location due to the primary school children access, voters on election day access and general base within any community.

Development and Devices

A space should be interactive. There should be no barriers between the space and the user.


There needs to be a relationship formed the second anyone enters the space; intentionally or unintentionally.
This can be possible through touch elements, detection elements, devices, cameras, and simple culture interrelation.












A device should enable a speaker. In a classroom, a child should be able to raise their hand uninhibited. This is possible through the use of gesture recognition cameras. This could enable multiple uses of the space including changing the space through gestures, or engaging with politicians.

Indigenous Design Principles

The government has sought to actively re-engage the indigenous population of Australia for many years, particularly after re-conciliation. Various funded programs have seen attempts at engaging the indigenous people educationally, culturally etc. (http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/indigenous/progserv/engagement/engagement/Pages/default.aspx)

However, through architecture and government incentives, capital principles can be re-invented.


Indigenous Design Principles have been very limited in terms of documentation and research in the past, when compared to other principles.
Architects such as Gary Murcutt and Paul Memmott have made notable contributions to this area in recent years.


My research has mainly revealed attention towards the traditional shelters, the preference to open areas and vegetation, natural ventilation, natural lighting.
The meeting circle which I have mentioned in previous blogs, is traditionally near a body of water and surrounded by vegetation; a naturalistic and oxygenated space.
This must be part of my design's experience and circulation.


I have also gathered some examples of Indigenous sensitive design:


Central Institute of Technology by Lyons

http://www.dezeen.com/2011/04/20/central-institute-of-technology-by-lyons/

From experiencing these examples, it is evident that although built architectural structures can be successful for indigenous sensitivity, it is absolutely necessary.

Beauty exists in simplicity...