Our initial interests in ecological and social sustainability became integrated with a community study of Annerley, an inner south-western suburb of Brisbane. Due to the high frequency of African (particularly Sudanese and Eritrean) refugees in the area, we began to explore more sustainable ways of living informed by an analysis of the refugee population – such as, alternative ways of gathering/sharing, the central role of food, ways of moving, the value of education and learning and the value of extended family and friend networks.

The result was a complex program and building consisting of (amongst others) an education centre, childcare, a community hall/stage, industrial kitchen, public housing, public space and food market.