“Storylines” is a gathering place for storytelling and education, providing a physical spatial realm for stories that are often purely auditory. This project is located on the northern slipway on Cockatoo Island- originally said to be a meeting place for Indigenous Australians of the Eora nations. The architectural framework “Designing With Country” was explored to actively engage with Indigenous culture and heritage.
Storytelling is central to Indigenous spirituality, dreamtime stories have been orally passed down over many generations. These storylines guide the organic form generation of the library, acting as a visual reminder of land to visitors, translating messages of sustainability and custodianship. The built form merges into the existing landscape, showcasing native biophilia and local materials. The physical intervention of the library becomes a living part of the Cockatoo Island ecosystem rather than an interference to it.
