119 Redfern, located on Gadigal land, represents a transformative collaboration between Aileen Sage, Djinjama, Jean Rice, Noni Boyd, and the City of Sydney. The project focuses on the accessibility upgrade of a heritage-listed former Post Office building, emphasizing not only physical accessibility but also psychological accessibility, with future uses to be determined by the First Nations community. The design approach, guided by cultural design research conducted by Djinjama, reinterprets the site through the lens of Country, celebrating and honoring its history and cultural significance.

The project pays homage to the once prevalent Turpentine-Ironbark Forest and recognizes the powerful owl as a symbol of resilience. While the existing colonial building retains its prominence, most of the new work is concentrated in the south-east portion of the structure. A new masonry lift tower, featuring a strong pattern, clearly marks the new entrance, serving as a counterpoint to the original colonial clock tower. The regraded and patterned laneway provides a dedicated entry space and level access to the building, enhancing inclusivity.

Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a reception area that extends through to the opposite porch. The lift lobby spaces integrate the originally external walls, and the existing mezzanine has been raised to allow access to the upper floor. These interventions create a new way of engaging with and inhabiting the colonial spaces within the building, effectively writing a new script onto the historic site.

Sustainability within the project is deeply rooted in an understanding of Country, particularly the concept of ‘Enoughness’—a core value in Djinjama’s approach, passed down through generations of Aboriginal Elders. This principle emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of using resources judiciously, taking only what is necessary. 119 Redfern embodies this philosophy by revealing, respecting, and reusing materials from the site, while also opening the building up to protected yet public spaces that connect with the sky, earth, and water.

The project is part of an ongoing collaborative conversation, seeking to embed Aboriginal perspectives into both the process and the final built outcome. The result is a respectful, sensitive, and celebratory transformation that not only honors the heritage of the site but also prepares it for a future defined by the values and vision of the First Nations community.

Photography by Hamish McIntosh