OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND

The plight of the refugees in Manus Island is because they are not recognised as persons who are seeking asylums. Instead, the existing myths within the society have labelled them as illegal immigrants, queue jumpers and country shoppers who are incarcerated all together regardless of the eccentricities of their circumstance.

Australia’s response to refugees and asylum seekers is related to the political parties’ decision makings. In the mid-1940s the program started by using Army Nissen Huts located on Army Barracks or remote sites with intention of preserving the British culture. Recently. After 75 years, operations Pacific Solution and Sovereign Borders have caused inhuman imprisonment of hundreds of refugees to be kept in islands miles away from Australia in prison-like camps surrounded by stiff fences and security guards for years which has cost Australia more than $1billion per year.

The architectural problem is the associated built form language of detention, incarceration & isolation. The siting of these such facilities discourages urban integration and therefore a lack of quality public space.

My architectural idea is going to use the existing city fabric to introduce acceptance in diversity and change to provide a safe transition for refugees establishing their life in Australia. By exposing and uncovering the story of the land and its custodians, the European colonial settlement, and the multicultural history of Australia.

I am trying to understand and find an architectural language that talks and express humanity to provide a common ground for diversity which enables and encourages acceptance to develop greater empathy and understanding.