Lyons’ ‘Reflect’ Reconciliation Action Plan formally endorsed
In January 2025, Lyons’ ‘Reflect’ Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to reconciliation and the indigenisation of Australia’s built environment. With a history of collaborative, design-led work that champions cultural inclusion and respectful engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, our RAP formalises a journey over two decades in the making. This Reconciliation Week, members from our Reconciliation Working Group, Kate Woodman and Grant Trewella, reflect on the process of creating our first formal Reconciliation Action Plan.
The development of Lyons’ RAP was sparked by a collective, practice-wide reflection involving a diverse cross-section of the studio, from Directors to graduates. Initially reflective in nature, the process evolved into an aspirational effort to define what reconciliation could mean for the practice. During initial brainstorming sessions, the group looked to Lyons Co-Founder, Carey Lyon, to take them through the historical ‘reconciliation journey’ of the practice, keen to get a better sense of what we have achieved and where we still could improve. Kate reflects: “He said, ‘We are designers. What do we do to advance reconciliation through design?’”
Looking through the history of Lyons projects, it was clear that through the years there had been a growing recognition of the importance of culturally safe spaces and the integration of First Nations narratives. These experiences revealed an existing but informal thread of reconciliation woven through two decades of project work. Building on this foundation, our RAP defines a clear and purposeful direction through four core pillars, Design, Culture & Practice, Economies, and Engagement. Each pillar is designed to support deeper, sustainable reconciliation outcomes across projects and within our studio culture. We aim to honour the significance of Country and reflect the unique values, stories, and aspirations of each community in our work. This includes a focused effort to design culturally safe spaces and embed meaningful narratives, ensuring our architecture better serves and respects First Nations peoples.
Internally, we are working to create a culturally safe workplace where learning and engagement with First Nations cultures is part of our everyday practice. Grant notes, “There are so many ways we can bring ideas of reconciliation to the forefront, not just in the built environment…everyone in the practice has a role to play”. In line with this, we continue to actively support and collaborate with First Nations-led businesses and consultants. Through all of this, we aim to lead by example and contribute to meaningful change in the built environment.
Our Reflect RAP is both a recognition of where we’ve come from and a roadmap for where we’re heading. It challenges us to think critically about our role as designers and the impact we can have, not only in the spaces we shape but in the relationships we build and the stories we choose to tell. As we continue this journey, we remain committed to listening, learning, and walking alongside First Nations communities to help create a more inclusive and respectful built environment for all.
We invite you to read our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan.
Designed by Lyons in collaboration with Haworth Tompkins and Silver Thomas Hanley, the boundary-breaking ECU City campus was unveiled in 2021 and early works are now underway. Recently, Sean Henriques, Program Director at ECU spoke with Architecture AU on his experience working with Lyons.
In January 2025, Lyons’ ‘Reflect’ Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to reconciliation and the indigenisation of Australia’s built environment.
As 2021 comes to a close, Corbett Lyon addressed the studio last week and reflected on the year that was.
Lyons Graduate, Ashlee Murphy, wins the AIA VIC Graduate Prize
The Emerging Architects and Graduate Network have invited architects to consider a message they would share with their younger selves, and this week they’ve shared words from Lyons Director, Carey Lyon.
Stonnington City Council has reclaimed what was once the Cato Street car park
Curtin University’s Midland Campus receives a 2020 National Award for Educational Architecture.
