This article explores integrating Indigenous sensory knowledge into architecture curricula in higher education. This integration aims to broaden students’ perspectives on perception and cognition of the built environment. It aims to better respond to cultural/spiritual spaces and challenge conventional Western approaches to design and planning. Students can better understand the relationship between humans, ‘Country’ (cultural landscapes), and the built environment by embedding Indigenous sensory knowledge systems to learning. Through this lens, we explore how Indigenous knowledge shapes new understandings of architecture and design, mainly through immersive, experimental on-Country learning by highlighting case studies of knowledge production. Results indicate a significant enhancement in students’ understanding of diverse cultural perspectives and a heightened sensitivity to the contextual relevance of design decisions. This suggests that integrating Indigenous sensory knowledge in architecture education enriches students’ learning experiences and fosters a more inclusive and sustainable approach to architectural practice. Glossary of terms Country – a term used by Indigenous Australians to describe the land, seas, and Skies (cultural landscapes). The notion of Country is affixed with relationships within a geographic space and grounded by transgenerational narratives of place. Country incorporates both the tangible and the intangible and is central to our worldviews. It is used as a proper noun. Country is entwined within laws, social structures, and behaviours where every facet of landform, fauna, and flora is viewed as living things. Indigenous – used in this context to describe the diversity of First Nations Aboriginal and surrounding Islander peoples of Australia. Australia is home to over 350 distinct Indigenous nations, each with its own unique cultural, linguistic, and spiritual traditions. This paper draws on Dharug knowledge systems to explore how these principles can inform architectural education and practice The Dharug people, whose lands encompass much of the Sydney Basin, have a profound relationship with Country, expressed through our oral histories, material culture, and custodial care of the land. While this focus provides depth, it does not claim to represent the experiences or perspectives of all Indigenous groups in Australia. Positioning Statement – Author 1, a Dharug Aboriginal Australian scholar, researcher, and artist, is based in the School of Architecture and Built Environment at the University of Newcastle, NSW. As a Spatial Designer, she plays a pivotal role in integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems into the built environment through the ‘Connecting with Country’ framework – an NSW initiative that establishes guiding principles for planning, design, and management to respect and embed Indigenous perspectives and connections to Country. Positioning Statement – Author 2, A scholar and practicing architect based in regional Australia, the author works at the intersection of academic research and architectural practice. Affiliated with the School of Architecture and Built Environment at the University of Newcastle, the author specialises in sustainable design strategies for rural and remote communities, with a particular focus on the incorporation of Indigenous design principles. Through a commitment to culturally responsive and environmentally sustainable architecture, the author addresses the unique challenges of regional development. The author integrates Indigenous knowledge systems into architectural practice, ensuring that built environments respect local traditions, cultural values, and connections to the land. This approach bridges the gap between academic theory, cultural preservation, and real-world design solutions.
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