I am sorry to inform you that the City of Greater Geelong has decided to cancel the Geelong Design Week to minimise the potential of spreading Coronavirus ( COVID-19). Their official statement reads:
"Based on the rapidly changing situation regarding coronavirus (COVID-19), the City of Greater Geelong has cancelled all of its Geelong Design Week events. This unfortunate decision has been made to ensure the health and well-being of our community. For the latest information about coronavirus (COVID-19) please visit www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus We’d like to acknowledge and thank you for your support in planning for our city’s first ever design week and we hope to provide more opportunities for our creative and design communities to come together once this situation is resolved."
I would also like to thank you for supporting The School of Lost Arts and in particular our effort to promote a biophilic design and a better connection to the natural world. We live in uncertain times with a great many challenges. Creativity offers the possibility of better insight and new solutions, so thank you for your interest in the special programme that we had devised to look at biophilia and its design possibilities. I would like to thank all the presenters for their tireless work in preparation and hope we put on further events of interest to you in the future.
Stay well.
kind regards,
Mary-Jane Walker
This event is part of Geelong Design Week 2020, an initiative of Geelong UNESCO City of Design and the City of Greater Geelong.
THE PREMISE
We live at a time of ecological crisis. Climate change, pollution, loss of biodiversity and increasing urbanisation are pushing our planet’s systems to their limit. Something has to change and that change has to come from us.
Currently over half the world’s population lives in cities and this figure is set to increase dramatically over the next decades. How are we going to support ourselves not just in terms of the resources we use but also create an environment that allows us not just to survive but to flourish along with as many other species as possible?
Biodiversity is not a luxury; it is a vital necessity for our future. Biophilic design recognises that humans do best when we are connected to nature in our surroundings. All the evidence points to our vital need for a deep connection to the natural world and designing our urban environment using biophilic principles allows the continued presence of nature which is essential for our future.
Cities around the world are beginning to embrace biophilic design as the way of creating the new human habitat. Geelong is at a stage in its development that allows it to use biophilic design to create a world class urban environment, which is not only sustainable but which celebrates the quality of life that comes with a close connection to the natural world.
THE CONCEPT
In 2019 the School of Lost Arts in association with Deakin University hosted Geelong’s first Biophilic Design event during the Melbourne Design Week.
Earthed Not Wired will continue this concept at a time of new focus on our relationship with nature and the way we live in cities. It is a one-day examination of the importance of the deep connection we have to the natural world and how recognising that helps us design better homes, schools and workplaces that support our natural affinity with the natural world.
The principles of biophilic design will be looked at through an all-day offering of practical design workshops, talks, installations and panel discussions from leading exponents in the field of design, planning, urban farming, art, architecture and urban and landscape planning. The event will take place at the unique location of a restored 1850s house with a one-acre urban farm.
It is aimed to challenge participants to think deeply, recognise the urgency of our situation and see the design possibilities of our urban environment with a fresh perspective.
THEMES TO BE EXPLORED
The urgent need for rethinking how we design and live in cities
The vital importance of connection to nature for physical and mental health
The importance of recognising biophilia, our innate connection to nature as a way of enhancing how we design our urban environment
Connection to nature from an indigenous perspective
The deep patterns that underpin our view of the world
Small scale urban farming as a way of enhancing our lives
Seeing nature from a designer’s viewpoint
$10 ticket includes:
Introductory talks and access to site including:
- A Biophilic design trail
- Art installationsAfternoon Session – What would a biophilic Geelong look like?
Deep Language workshop – Dr Phillip Roӧs
Closing drinks and discussion
Additional Cost for:
Materials fees for workshops with Lee Darroch, Nicola Cerini, Justin Calverley and Rea Dennis
Featured Installation
Urbane Ecologies II – Wonder Room 2020 Bishop & Reis
Urbane Ecologies II – Wonder Room 2020 draws attention to the apparatus (a sculptural and sound installation), a museum box built for one. The audience are invited into the work, to activate a sound track that amplifies the elements, the speed of which is dictated by the pace of the person walking on a treadmill. It mixes new and old technologies to exhibit the subject as an affective participant in the work, and by extension the environment outside of it. Sound and vision are syncopated to the rhythms of nature, the body and our collection (collective) culture. The work picks up on the natural sounds of the historic property, and uses story and key words to explore the house and its relationship to the environment.
The work will be situated at the entrance to the house, and Cameron Bishop will give a short talk during the lunch break.
Participants are encouraged to take part in workshops and talks across the day, immersing themselves in the biophilic site. However, recognising that there is a full program for Design Week, it is also fine to come and go, taking part in specific elements that are of interest.
OUTLINE FOR THE DAY
9.00 ARRIVE
Tea and coffee available
9.00 - 10.00 INTRODUCTION
Acknowledgement of Country | Lee Darroch
Introduction to Earthed Not Wired - Designing the Future.
Understanding the possibilities of the new urban ecosystem and biophilic design | Mary-Jane Walker, Phillip Roӧs
The nature of biophilia and biophilic design. Why it is important for the future of our cities.
Recognising the deep patterns of design that govern our lives
10.00 - 10.30 BREAK
Tea and coffee available
10.30 - 12.00 SESSION 1 - Choose 1 workshop
Connect with the Earth - Weaving workshop | Lee Darroch ($20 materials/class fee)
The aim of this beautiful workshop with well-known artist Lee Darroch is to get people to be more connected with their environment and to be meditative. It will begin with a walk around the garden, observing and connecting to elements of the natural world. Participants will weave using a traditional coiled basket technique using grasses and plants including harakeke and spikey matt rush grasses.
Observe closely – In the mind of the designer | Nicola Cerini ($20 materials/class fee)
Spend the morning with renowned Australian designer Nicola Cerini and delve into the design process by observing the abundance of pattern, form, line and texture in nature. Translate these elements to create an original work on paper using a variety of media.
Deep Earth - A Nature Language | Phillip Roӧs
In this talk and group activity Dr Phillip Roös investigates our deep affiliation with the planet, and proposes a new approach for connecting with place and the natural world. Its purpose is to generate a Nature Language, a way of telling the story about patterns of interactions between humans and nature, their wide range of instantiations, and the deeply meaningful and often joyful feelings that these patterns engender.
The Earth That Feeds Us – Urban farming in containers | Justin Calverley ($10 class fee)
The spaces around our houses are a resource we can choose to use for greater connection to the nature. Growing our own food has so many benefits and even a very small space can be incredibly productive. Join urban farmer, passionate horticulturalist and author Justin Calverley for this introduction to urban farming on a small scale. Understand designing the space and learning small scale no-dig farming as well as the physical and emotional value of being in touch with nature
The Body and The Natural World | Dr Rea Dennis ($10 class fee)
There is an urgency to inhabit deeper connections with the natural world. Stymied by complex forces motivating built environments, 21st century working practices, and digitised social relationships, our bodies are grieving touch with the natural world. We are hardwired to connect with nature – we are nature. This workshop explores these ideas and simple everyday practices that you can do to encounter yourself as part of the larger natural world.Based on movement and somatic practices in dance and drama and open to all ages and abilities, the session looks at practical connections to self, other and the natural world.
12.00 - 1.00 LUNCH BREAK
A pop up home café will operate in the kitchen. Light refreshments available.
Time for engagement with site, artworks, installations
(Vegetarian, nut-free with gluten-free options)
1.00 - 2.30 SESSION 2 - Choose 1 Workshop
Connect with the Earth - Weaving workshop | Lee Darroch ($20 materials/class fee)
As above.
The Earth that feeds us – Urban Farming in containers | Justin Calverley ($10 class fee)
As above.
Connect to Earth – Biophilic design in practice - Printing on Plywood | Nicola Cerini ($25 materials/class fee)
Join Nicola Cerini and create a nature-inspired design by applying textures and patterns provided to a pre-cut circular plywood panel. This segment could be the starting point of a larger biophilic artwork/interior or the end point of a making experience stimulating ideas and inspiration, promoting a sense of connectedness and well-being.
2.30 - 3.00 FREE TIME to engage with site
3.00 - 4.30 AFTERNOON SESSION | What would Geelong as a Biophilic Designed City Look Like?
3.00 – 3.30 Workshop | Justin Ray and Dave Cameron
Workshop with Justin Ray and Dave Cameron from Tract Consultants - This will focus on a mind shift toward natural systems-based design followed by a short group exercise in order to encourage discussion, interaction & participation.3.30 - 4.00 Biophilic Design Successes | Scott West
Scott West, Design Director, Frasers Property Group will discuss the Burwood Brickworks and Camp Glenorchy as examples of successful biophilic design outcomes4.00 - 4.15 Understanding the Psychology of Biophilia | Dr Arlene Walker
Dr Arlene Walker, Associate Head of the School of Psychology, Deakin University will talk briefly about the impact on well-being of our connection to nature. She will address this, both in terms of its positive outcomes and what happens when we are no longer connected to where we live. Her presentation will involve a short activity and reflection.
4.15 – 4.30 Panel Discussion | What could a Biophilic Geelong Look like?
The Tract Consultants media team will also premiere graphics showing what Geelong as a biophilic city could look like. Change your view of our city with an aerial map which breaks down Geelong into a series of layers as a living organism.
Participants:
Scott West, Design Director, Frasers Property Group
Dave Cameron, Principal Landscape Architect, Tract Consultants
Justin Ray, Senior Principal Urban design, Tract Consultants
Phillip Roӧs, Director Live Smart Research Lab, Deakin University
Arlene Walker, School of Psychology, Deakin University
Mary-Jane Walker, The School of Lost Arts
4.30 CLOSING DRINKS AND FREE DISCUSSION