An Indigenous design charter developed by a consortium of academics and architects has won the Design Award of the Year at the 2018 Victorian Premier’s Design Awards announced recently.

The International Indigenous Design Charter was co-authored by Jefa Greenaway (Wailwan, Gamillaraay) from Indigenous Architecture and Design Victoria, and keynote presenter at Tomorrowland 2018; Dr Russell Kennedy and Dr Meghan Kelly from Deakin University; and ProfessorBrian Martin (Muruwari, Bundjalung, Kamilaroi)and Ms Elly Chatfield (Gamilaraay) in association with Deakin University Institute of Koorie Education.

The charter is a best practice guide for the respectful representation of Indigenous culture in design practice and education worldwide.

The project received unanimous support from the jury: “We agreed this entry was revolutionary and transformational in its impact at a local and global level,” jury chair Celina Clarke said.

The Nightingale sustainable housing development in Brunswick, Melbourne won the Architectural Design award.

The innovative social and environmentally sustainable housing model has taken the development world by storm. Its financial backers are wide-ranging and include Social Enterprise Finance Australia (SEFA), National Australia Bank, and Brightlight, an institutional advisory organisation.

2018 Victorian Premier’s Design Awards

Victorian Premier’s Design Award of the Year:

International Indigenous Design Charter

Best in Category Winner for Architectural Design:

Nightingale 1

Best in Category Winner for Communication Design:

Beyond Perception Exhibition

Best in Category Winner for Design Strategy:

International Indigenous Design Charter

Best in Category Winner for Digital Design:

LinktGO Mobile Tolling Solution

Best in Category Winner for Fashion Design:

The Last Knitting Mill

Best in Category Winner for Product Design

Facett

Best in Category Winner for Service Design:

Karitane Early Parenting Concept Store

Best in Category Winner for Student Design:

Rescue Akja

VCE Product Design Student Award: 

Reinventing Plastic Waste by Megan Grimshaw

VCE Product Design Student Finalists: 

Blade Sharpening Kit by Benjamin King

Jacket Bag by Leyton Abduli

Men’s Accessories and Storage Unit by Cameron Kilpatrick

Modern Neo-Expressionism by Maireid Carrigg