Is identity important to architecture?
Is identity important to architecture? That was the question posed to contributors of the current edition of Architect Victoria magazine, guest edited by Lavanya Arulanandam and Peter Raisbeck on the theme of Identity.
In this edition, Ian McDougall, co-founder of ARM, explores how identity—whether personal, cultural, or place-based—is intrinsic to meaningful architectural design. His article delves into the tension between universalist design ideals and the expression of local narratives, drawing from ARM’s extensive experience with culturally significant projects. Ian highlights the profound value of embedding First Nations stories, reflecting on projects like the Geelong Arts Centre Stage 3 and ARM’s work with Auckland’s iwi on Aotea Studios, which set a benchmark for collaborative and identity-driven design.
We’re pleased to see Ian’s timely insights published and encourage readers to explore the full article and edition for a deeper understanding of architecture’s role in shaping identity. It’s a topic close to our hearts.