About us
Our story begins with the coming together of Nguluway and DesignInc.
Led by Wiradjuri Architect Craig Kerslake, this unique partnership fuses Indigenous design thinking with the technical capability and capacity of the DesignInc team. Collectively, our combined talent of over 120+ architects, urban planners, interior designers and landscape architects will bring an Indigenous lens to your project—designing from Country.
“‘Nguluway’ is a Wiradjuri word that means ‘come together.’
It is our pursuit to bring the Aboriginal voice to design thinking in genuine and authentic ways. We call this ‘Designing from Country’ as design narratives come from Aboriginal understandings of people and place, or belonging.
We look forward to collaborating with our clients through the next unfolding and exciting chapter of Australia’s history. Belonging.”
Contact Craig Kerslake
Our Story
Formed in 2020, Nguluway DesignInc is a joint venture partnership between DesignInc Sydney and Nguluway (Saltwater Studio).
“For years I wanted to find a way to increase the number of First Australian professionals within architecture. I felt strongly that my culture could offer so much by seeing design through an Indigenous lens. My Elders and Indigenous mentors advised me that rather than trying to achieve this on my own that I would be far more effective if I teamed up with a larger practice that shared my vision.
I created a matrix of the top firms in Australia and ranked them largely on shared values and initiatives. DesignInc stood out from the crowd so I reached out to them. They were already working with Aboriginal consultants, were actively seeking First Australian graduates and had the Western Sydney University DesignInc Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Architecture Scholarship in place to encourage future graduates to join the profession. They had been looking for an Aboriginal architect to join their practice and were thrilled by the idea.”
How we work together
These diagrams below explain the confluence of how we work together:
Certifications
Supply Nation
We are Supply Nation Certified.
Supply Nation provides Australia's largest national directory of verified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.
We are NSWICC Assured.
The NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (NSWICC) is the Peak body for Aboriginal Business in NSW and a powerful voice for the needs of Aboriginal Entrepreneurs, Business owners and Enterprising Communities.
NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce
Why Nguluway DesignInc?
First Nations leadership
All projects have input from Wiradjuri architect Craig Kerslake.
Sustainable focus
We understand that the long-term success of a project relies on both environmental and social sustainability, ensuring reciprocity of built form with the natural and cultural environment
Team experience
With a range of services, decades of experience (as a firm and individually) and great diversity, we bring together knowledge of not only design, but cultures to generate inclusive, considered outcomes.
Cultural literacy
Our design team brings their diversity and experience working with local communites together, with the support of Indigenous architect Craig Kerslake, to build a knowledge of the cultural frameworks for each project.
Co-design
Direct engagement with relevant stakeholders, including Elders and community members, integrates their knowledge and input as part of the design process, rather than relegating it to a report
“Nguluway DesignInc allows us to consciously rethink how we approach all forms of design, and truly consider the unique concept of designing from Country.
We’re just starting this journey with Craig and are therefore particularly excited about how this new collaboration will improve the way we approach all our projects, ensuring greater social, economic and cultural sustainability across Australia’s future built environment.”
Contact Cathryn Drew-Bredin
Our Vision
Our vision is a prosperous nation that values and embraces culture in our built environment.
Traditional Custodians of our lands have a strong and enduring connection to the landscape and this profoundly influences how we view ourselves. We envisage the preservation of Australia’s unique history and cultural connections captured on all projects, enhancing cultural literacy in our society.
With the ever increasing demand for First Australian voices within the profession, we seek to foster and grow their representation and contributions within the sector through mentoring, scholarships and employment opportunities.
Our Initiatives
Designing from Country
Australia is home to the oldest living cultures in the world. At Nguluway DesignInc, we are culturally led and inspired, bringing connection to Country to the forefront of design. We strive to enhance built environments by interweaving cultural knowledge and traditions of place in all that we do. Our work is moving to more sustainable environmental and social systems – led by the expertise of First Australians who have been well versed in caring for Country for thousands of years.
Mentorship + Employment
First Australians are inherently connected to place and space and are yet under-represented in the design and architecture industry. Our mentorship and employment programmes aim to support greater opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander expertise and a more culturally inclusive industry and society. Our aim is to increase the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander professionals working in the industry across Australia.
Cultural Literacy + Awareness
We are committed to enhancing cultural literacy and awareness, through our organisation, industry and society. We foster a shared understanding of identity and belonging grounded in Indigenous world views, to enhance the experience and knowledge across all of our team.
Our Values
Purpose
We create beautiful places that invigorate and inspire us, connect us with each other and with the landscape. When we design with an authentic vernacular expression we initiate social and environmental harmony and build belonging and identity.
Passion
We are passionate about what we make and how it’s made. We strive for excellence in design and in the services we provide. Our team is really important to us and we thrive on challenges.
Integrity
We respectfully adopt the First Nations principle of reciprocity in our design thinking with regenerative aspirations through a process we call Designing From Country. We always involve a First Nations voice in this process.
Board Members
Managing Director
Chair
Director—DesignInc
Director—Nguluway DesignInc.
Director—DesignInc
Director—Nguluway DesignInc.
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