Groundlines &
Ring: Tracing the Plain
Jackson Creek biik
wurrdha, wurundjeri land
2025
(Regional Open Space, Cultural Landscape,
Indigenous Placemaking)
Set within Victoria’s western volcanic plain, Groundlines
& Ring traces existing footpaths into gentle walking loops and a
central gathering ring. Using only local basalt and minimal intervention, the
project celebrates the subtle relationships between Country, people, and the
enduring rhythms of the grassland.
Groundlines & Ring engages
the culture, ecology, and geology of the site, weaving these elements through the
act of walking- an analogy for connection and continuity with Country. The
project frames the existing site through the lens of the sense and memory.
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This volcanic plain has significant cultural values, with the
ongoing custodianship of the Wurundjeri people. The central Gathering Ring draws
inspiration from Sunbury Earth Rings, serving as a poetic continuation of collective
memory tracing and cultural practice. The space invites people to encounter, connect,
and care: a place to gather, rest, and yarn.
Ecologically, the design acknowledges the presence of threatened
flora and fauna surrounding the site and avoid disturbing their habitats. The
existing patches of critically endangered native grasslands are supported by additional
native planting around the Gathering Ring, offering a living lesson in cultural
and ecological resilience. Reciprocity is encouraged through the continued
involvement of local community groups in weed and seed collection for a community
seedbank.
The site’s geology offers exciting opportunities:
escarpment, valleys, and exposed rock formations. Working with these
conditions, basalt rocks from the site’s southern entrance are repurposed to
form the edge of the Gathering Ring, while additional basalt boulders are
introduced to become informal seating throughout the site. Paths are paved with
crushed rocks, allowing water to filtrate and return to the ground. The minimal
use of materials enhances the authenticity and the continuity of this cultural
landscape.
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The design evolves from the semi-formalisation of the
existing walking tracts, surfaced with crushed rocks to create contemplative loops
and scenic routes. An accessible segment is added to ensure the experience for
all. Scattered seating rocks offer moments of pause, encouraging visual and
sonic engagement with the landscape. Signages provides cultural interpretation
and assists with navigation throughout the site.
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Groundlines & Ring is an
exploration of light touch: a gesture that honours the traces of the present meanwhile
invites new ones to emerge. Just as the weathering of basalts reveals the
beauty through and over time, this project reminds us that meaningful design
can arise from care and continuity.
Project submitted to Open House Melbourne Design Competition.
