Ever wondered how architecture and landscape can turn contested land into a living tribute to lives lost and those affected by family violence? In this episode, I chat with Amy Muir, director of Muir Architecture, about designing Victoria's Family Violence Memorial located next to the Parliament Precinct in East Melbourne. It's a reminder that memorials aren't relics, but rather spaces for reflection, gathering and support that advocate for societal and political change.
Amy's journey began with her passion for architecture and landscape when studying at RMIT. Through her education and research, memorialisation within the context of our cities has been a key focus for the practice. Partnering with Mark Jacques from Openwork, they worked with Indigenous advisor Sarah Lynn Rees from JCB Architects and in close consultation with the City of Melbourne, the Department of Premier and Cabinet Office for Women, the Victims Survivors' Advisory Council, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, Boon Wurrung Foundation and Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
We explore the core design: a purple-flowering 'landscape in motion' around a gentle 800mm high steel wall, forming an outdoor room for reflection and gatherings with an Indigenous smoking vessel for ceremonies. No names etched, an ethical nod to the 'immeasurable' condition of family violence.
Amy shares that it has recently been reported by Women's Agenda that in NSW police are called to a domestic violence incident every three minutes. She discusses survivor grace, design's fragility-to-strength shift, and Fitzroy Gardens sightlines for healing. Memorials evolve, advocating education, bias-breaking on gender and shame, and compassion for all.
What you'll hear in this episode:
- Amy's path from interior design to architecture and her love of cemeteries as 'in-between' spaces
- Consultation with Victim Survivors Advisory Council, Indigenous wisdom like 'The law of the land is to keep people safe' in Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung, and ethical dilemmas of a 'memorial in motion' without names
- Design details: Purple plantings, a cocooning steel wall balancing strength and safety, and embedded ashes from the site's first smoking ceremony
- Learnings on coercive control, grief's non-linear nature, and architecture's role in societal change
Resources & links: City of Melbourne's Family Violence Memorial: https://citycollection.melbourne.vic.gov.au/family-violence-memorial/ Office for Women Victoria: https://www.vic.gov.au/gender-equality-and-womens-leadership Women's Agenda: https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/woman-killed-in-alleged-assault-at-hunter-valley-home-30-year-old-man-arrested/ Muir Architecture: https://muirarchitecture.com/ Openwork: https://openwork.info/
Remember: You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.
Take care, Catherine
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text :-)
The free 3-minute Critical Info Check helps you see what you’ve already got covered — and what your next step could be.
Three minutes. One next step.
Go to gettingstarted.criticalinfo.com.au
Support the show
YOUR NEXT STEP
Don’t try to do everything at once.
Take the free 3-minute Critical Info Check to see what you’ve already got covered — and what your next step could be.
Take the Check:
https://gettingstarted.criticalinfo.com.au/
NEED SUPPORT?
If this episode has brought up grief, loss or bereavement, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
The Critical Info Resource Hub connects you with organisations and services offering grief, bereavement and other practical support.
Find support through the Resource Hub:
https://criticalinfo.com.au/support/
KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING
Join Critical Chat Tuesday, a free online conversation every Tuesday at 7pm Melbourne time.
You can ask a question, listen to others or simply come as you are.
Find out more:
https://criticalinfo.com.au/events
IF SOMEONE HAS DIED
If someone you love has died, our After-Death Guide — My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now? — provides practical guidance to help you navigate what needs to happen next.
Find the After-Death Guide:
https://criticalinfo.com.au/product/my-loved-one-has-died/
LEARN...
