119 Redfern, situated on Gadigal land, is a collaborative project involving Aileen Sage, Djinjama, Jean Rice, Noni Boyd, and the City of Sydney. The project focuses on making the heritage-listed former Post Office building not only physically accessible but also psychologically welcoming for future use by the First Nations community. Guided by cultural design research from Djinjama, the project honours the place by reflecting on its historical and cultural significance through the lens of Country. The once prevalent Turpentine-Ironbark Forest is remembered, and the powerful owl, symbolising resilience, is recognised as a key motif.

While the existing colonial architecture continues to assert its presence, the renovation work is primarily concentrated on the building’s south-east portion. A new masonry lift tower, with a striking pattern, marks the new entrance, standing as a modern counterpart to the original colonial clock tower. The regraded and patterned laneway provides dedicated entry and level access, seamlessly integrating the new with the old. Inside, the entryway extends from the reception through to the opposite porch, with the lift lobby enclosing what were once external walls, and the mezzanine raised for improved access to the upper floor.

The project introduces a new narrative for the site, with interventions that reimagine how the colonial spaces are entered and inhabited. Sustainability is interpreted through the concept of ‘enoughness,’ a value rooted in Aboriginal culture, emphasising the use of existing resources and taking only what is necessary. By revealing, respecting, and reusing materials from the site, 119 Redfern creates a protected yet open space that connects the building to the sky, earth, and water. This ongoing collaboration embodies a respectful and celebratory approach, embedding Aboriginal perspectives in both the process and the final built environment.

Photography by Hamish McIntosh