26 Feb 2026
Dr Jefa Greenaway (Wailwan | Kamilaroi) is a founding Director of Greenaway Architects, Hon. Fellow of Design at Deakin University and Adjunct Industry Fellow at Swinburne University a nationally recognised and celebrated architect. For three decades, Jefa has championed Indigenous led design thinking, including co-authoring the International Indigenous Design Charter. We are incredibly lucky to have him answer a few questions ahead of his keynote address at TRANSFORM 2026.
You were one of the first registered Indigenous architects in Australia – what drew you to becoming an architect, and has that changed throughout your career?
I tend to crystallise my journey into architecture to a few key inspirations, being firstly the immediacy of expression from mind to hand, explored through an ability to draw, noting that I was a qualified draftsperson before moving to architecture. This is coupled with a curiosity of how things spatially and tectonically come together. As my career has evolved, my interest in the social contract we hold - to improve the needs of people, the planet and the materials we employ in architecture - has very much guided my thinking. In addition, I feel a sense of responsibility to give back, which has shaped my academic roles, research and interest in mentoring the next generation.
How do you define Designing for Country, and how does that intersect with a sustainable built environment?
I tend to broader the notion of ‘Designing for Country’ to designing ‘for’, ‘of’ and ‘with’ Country. While nuanced, ‘for’ is relationally connected to purpose, reason and time, privileging place to positively benefit, while ‘of’ demonstrates a holistic relationship in both breadth of scale and tangible/intangible value, whereas ‘with’ reiterates an accompaniment to all things – people, animals, environmental conditions (sky, water, mountain ranges etc.) – in short, its inclusive.
These words precede, as a relational embodiment of the primacy of Country, as an all-encompassing responsibility and respectful series of acts – manifested through our roles as architects within the built and natural environment.
Significantly it supports true voice and agency, an enabler for cultural continuity, opportunity and economic empowerment.
Architecture is inherently political – can we use architecture and design to reckon with Australia’s past? And how can we use Indigenous-centered design to meet the needs of our society today and in the future?
I studied political science before I became an architect and come from a strong family of Aboriginal activists which has shaped my view that architecture is undeniably political, be it the strictures of planning, the access to capital to realise the aspirations of Community or the loud and proud expression of cultural identity within the public domain. This is amplified through Indigenous contributions into architecture, particularly where we are holding the pen and shaping the places and spaces we create. It’s worth noting that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples disproportionally care for Country and hold great wisdom and understanding best illustrated through ecological practice in always seeking balance.
You once said in a presentation that you’re not interested in architecture as spectacle, rather that to you, architecture is about meaning and how it benefits the human condition. What benefits and meaning are you hoping to articulate with your work?
Whilst prominent architecture, as image, can be compelling, my real interest lies in the ability for architecture to reveal layers of history and memory, whilst also capturing the contemporary experience. I sense there is an acute interest in engaging authentically with place. People build affinity to places, particularly where they hold meaning and connection. Where appropriate and authorised the narrative of place can become embedded and influence key design moves incorporating an integrated response inclusive of urban, interior and landscape design, as well as architecture.
Underpinning all of this is the centrality of sustainability as core business rather than an afterthought or siloed inclusion. We have great responsibility to consider what we are leaving behind for the next generations.
What separates true First Nations engagement with tokenistic engagement in the built environment?
The key is time and the level of capacity for First Nations community to influence an outcome. Too often engagement is communicated as a fait accompli with an expectation of validation rather than meaningful input that inspires, transforms, and supports reciprocity.
Tokenism can result in culture as decoration, surface treatment rather than an embodied approach which supports Community capacity building, empowers Indigenous enterprise, and supports cultural connectivity and design inspiration.
Engagement ideally is diverse, distributed, and ongoing. Best practice ensures a range of voices are heard, with a breadth of demographics represented (men, women, young and old alike). Authenticity is also strengthened where Indigenous built environment practitioners are actively engaged in all phases of the process – from design through to construction and post occupancy.
What is inspiring you in your life and work right now?
We have a number of very engaging projects we’re currently immersed in, particularly the Garma Institute on Yolgŋu Country in NE Arnhem Land, Yaitya Ngutu Wardli on Kaurna Country in SA, and the UTS National First Nations College on Gadigal land in Ultimo. The significance is all these projects will be transformative for the benefit of Community. In life, my kids are providing great joy to see them flourish as young adults, with my son having recently completed his degree in design and my daughter has begun a pathway into law.
Dr Jefa Greenaway will be presenting the keynote address on day one, 18th March, at TRANSFORM 2026. You can see the conference program and more by clicking this link.