Greenaway Architects is proud to present the culmination of a visionary collaboration with Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV) – a groundbreaking wayfinding and interpretation system that redefines the visitor experience. With over 2 million visitors annually, RBGV sought to transform navigation and discovery within its Melbourne Gardens, integrating Indigenous perspectives and cutting-edge technology to tell the story of 60,000+ years of history.

In response to RBGV’s call for a contemporary, world-class system, Greenaway Architects partnered with Studio Binocular and Aspect Studios. Embracing the International Indigenous Design Charter (IIDC) and a First Peoples-led approach, our team embarked on a journey to weave traditional knowledge into every aspect of the design.

Through rigorous research, consultation, and prototyping, we developed an integrated physical and digital system that transcends traditional wayfinding. The physical signage, featuring innovative stacking systems and Indigenous-inspired motifs, serves as both practical navigation aids and cultural storytelling mediums. Concurrently, our digital platform, seamlessly integrated with RBGV’s website, provides interactive mapping and rich interpretive content accessible via QR codes.

This project represents more than just a navigation upgrade; it’s a testament to the power of design to honour the past, empower the present, and shape the future. By amplifying Indigenous voices and forging new paths of collaboration, we’ve set a new benchmark for cultural respect and best practice standards, not only in Australia but internationally.

As Dr. Russell Kennedy of Deakin University aptly states, “If we change the way we look at things, then the things we look at need to change.” The RBGV wayfinding project exemplifies this ethos, heralding a new era of inclusivity and cultural sensitivity in public space design. We are honoured to have been part of this transformative journey, and we look forward to the lasting impact it will have on visitors, designers, and institutions alike.