With respect for Country we listen, learn and make...
JCB’s purpose is to listen, learn and make. This purpose grew from conversations about what it meant to us to Acknowledge Country.
Our studio was founded across Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Country where the term ‘Wominjeka’ is used as part of a Welcome to Country. Elders describe that this term at the same time means ‘Welcome’, ‘Come’, and ‘what is your purpose for being here?’.
We felt it was important that our acknowledgement responded to this question by embedding purpose-based actions that we can take as an architecture practice. With the intention that we could follow through on these actions and move beyond Acknowledgement and into action.
‘Listen, learn and make’ has since become the foundation of our practice. It is the core of how we see ourselves, our processes, and our work. It applies to how we work with each other, with our collaborators and clients and with Country.
JCB now has studios in both Victoria and Queensland and we work on Indigenous-led projects across Australia. We carry this purpose wherever we work.
To us this means:
Listen derives from an Indigenous protocol of listening first. The notion that we remove ourselves of egotism or being ‘masters’ and take the time to step back and listen, in order to learn.
Learn acknowledges that we have a long way to go, that we might make mistakes, and that we'll always be learning.
Make is an articulation of what we do. It's not just about architecture, but about places, relationships, intentions and commitments.
Acknowledgement