Macquarie Group engaged with Balarinji, an Indigenous design and strategy studio to ensure that 1 Elizabeth Street and the wider Martin Place Metro Precinct reflects the area’s rich cultural and historical narrative. The collaboration ensured a best-practice methodology founded in community engagement and facilitated by community-led design elements and initiatives. 

Connection to Country

Country dictates dynamic functionality

Replacing landmarks

Importance of language

Aboriginal culture is a living culture

Custodianship

These principles provided a framework that elicited a representation of Aboriginal peoples' voice and connection to Country. The design of the precinct embodies these principles in the following ways:

This exhibition, located on the ground floor of 50 Martin Place, explores the Gadigal perception of colonisation changing Warrane’s identity over time, and emphasises the importance of custodianship and connection to Country. 

A number of artworks have been commissioned from First Nations artists and feature throughout the Precinct. The artists who have been engaged for this development include Gamilaraay/Wonnarua and Wiradjuri/Boonwurung/Palawa/Yorta Yorta artist Debra Beale, Darug artist Jamie Eastwood and Gomeroi artist Suzy Evans.

As an acknowledgement of the Warrane environment prior to colonisation, 1 Elizabeth Street’s landscaping is largely comprised of native plants, providing a tangible connection to Country through the inclusion of approximately 48 different native species.