The NT Chapter is proud to announce the inaugural NT Annual Lecture Series which features high profile international architects to present across a wide range of topical issues. This free event for professionals across the built environment and the general public focuses on a wide conversation about the impact of architecture in the community.

Livestreamed across Australia
We're pleased to announce that this lecture will be livestreamed, so wherever you are in Australia or overseas, you can also join the event online. After registration, we'll email you a link to the event, enabling you to view the lecture in the comfort of your home or office.

Event Background
New Zealand faces some of the same challenges as the Northern Territory, especially as the NT’s first nations represent 30.8% of their population, which is higher than the Australian average at 3.8%. The NZ’s first nation average is 17.8% of their population, so there is a much clearer understanding the engagement and immersion of indigenous culture in everyday lives and throughout the design process.

New Zealand is also struggling with climate change, witnessing recent extreme weather events and natural disasters. These events have increased over the past six years, both in NZ and the NT, with cyclones bouncing off the Australian coast and hitting the nation as well as being a tectonically active zone.

The presentation will feature the links with community and the importance of first nations in the successful delivery of projects and the need to involve the whole community throughout the design process. An NT example of what doesn’t work is in housing for first nations with dwellings ‘given to them’ with engagement not being holistic and, in some cases, tokenistic with negative outcomes which come from limited engagement.

Michael O'Sullivan's experience working with first nations as an architect who clearly has a strong commitment working closely with Maori people is a critical lesson we can learn from. His work around respecting faith - whether western traditional religions that we understand and the importance of first nations heritage and storytelling - is another part of the presentation which is important in engaging with indigenous people. Maori and first nations cultures are complex and integrated into everyday life - whether it is through education, health, art, food, and storytelling. As well as having the public lecture we will also be hosting a mentoring session meet and greet with SONA and EmAGN.