Architecture practitioners from across Australia gathered in Cobar last week to look at regional architecture, town revitalisation, housing, climate and infrastructure challenges.
The ‘Reflections’ event was organised by the Regional Architecture Association (RAA), with among the participants.
Mr Lee, who is based in Goulburn, spoke with The Cobar Weekly on Friday. He said the association held three events each
year to give regional practitioners, who are spread far and wide, the opportunity to meet
face-to-face.
This year, after holding events in Brisbane and Guildford in Victoria, Cobar was chosen as the location for their final event.
Mr Lee said Cobar was selected partly because of its connection to an earlier RAA event That event involved the Gadhungal Marring Indigenous cultural heritage group and focused on cultural knowledge, connection to country and sharing skills. He said the elders involved in that event had connections to the Mount Grenfell Historic Site, leading to plans for a follow-up event in Cobar.
“We try and centre speakers around that particular region and work that’s been done in that region,” Mr Lee said. Their Cobar event included a tour of the town, a workshop, visits to local architectural projects, a panel discussion and presentations from speakers, including Jonathan Temple of DunnHillam Architecture & Urban Design on the practice’s long-running relationship with Cobar and its work on a series of civic projects and town revitalisation initiatives. Participants also documented their journeys to Cobar through sketches and photographs, which have been added to a mural at the youth Centre. Mr Lee said the event was more than professional development, it also provided an opportunity for regional practitioners, many of whom work as sole practitioners, to share experiences and discuss the challenges they face. He said the association also provided a link between practitioners and its industry members, who could otherwise have limited opportunities to meet architects working in remote areas. The group visited the Cobar Sound Chapel, designed by Glenn Murcutt, and viewed the work of DunnHillam at the Cobar Museum, the Cobar Early Learning Centre and Ward Oval. They also paid a visit to Mount Grenfell. Mr Lee said the association was particularly interested in promoting greater access to architectural expertise in regional areas. He said good design and good planning could work together to produce better outcomes for communities. “It’s not just about building something that’s
got to tick the boxes,” Mr Lee said. “It’s also got to work for community. “It’s got to give something back more. “It’s got to fit into place. It’s got to acknowledge where it’s come from.”
He said the association wanted regional communities to have the opportunity to experience architecture that made people stop and appreciate a place. “Everybody has the right to experience a place where you just walk in there and go, ‘Wow, this is incredible’,” he said.
