WSP’s Indigenous Specialist Services (ISS) team was formed in 2018 in response to a growing desire within Australian society to genuinely listen to Aboriginal people and better incorporate their knowledge, identity, ideas on Country and culture into the built environment. Elders have shared with us that they feel invisible in the built environment, and they would like to see First Nations perspectives about Country and culture being represented in the built form.
We work on
- Connection to Country
- Development application
- State Design Review Panel (SDRP)
- Design competitions
- Co-design workshops
- Walks on Country
- Knowledge holder engagement
Our services
Our methodology is grounded in respectful, place-based collaboration with Indigenous communities, ensuring that cultural knowledge and values are authentically embedded into every stage of a project. Central to our approach is co-design, working with Elders, artists, knowledge holders and community members to collaboratively shape design concepts, digital visualisations, and immersive experiences that reflect Indigenous identity and connection to Country. Led by Indigenous professionals, we create tailored engagement processes that are culturally appropriate, community-approved, and often conducted on Country to honour local protocols and highlight the cultural significance of each site. We also support Indigenous businesses and source local talent, ensuring that our projects not only deliver meaningful outcomes but also strengthen long-term relationships and cultural visibility in the built environment.
To support culturally informed design, we also develop Aboriginal Design Principles (ADP) documents that provide essential cultural context and guidance for designing and engaging with Aboriginal people and Country. These principles align with key frameworks such as the NSW Government Architect’s Connecting with Country Guidelines, the International Indigenous Design Charter, and Reconciliation Australia’s pillars of Respect, Relationships, and Participation. The ADP outlines high-level concepts for co-design and collaboration, helping project teams build cultural competency and embed meaningful engagement from the outset.
Our team
Michael Hromek (Yuin):
Descended of the Yuin People, Budawang Tribe, Michael is an Architect, PhD Candidate and Professional Tutor at the University of Technology, Sydney’s Jumbunna Institute for Aboriginal Education and Research.
Michael has a range of specialisations in the broad area of design, theory and architecture. These include the nature of design and its role towards society, contemporary Aboriginal identity and how this might be formalised through the built environment and the relationships between theory and practice in planning, society and the city.
As a member of the Yuin People and with in-depth knowledge of Country, Michael provides not only an Aboriginal lead, but as an Architect brings an in-depth appreciation of Aboriginal cultural interpretation.
Sian Hromek (Yuin):
Siân is a Budawang woman of the Dhurga language group, also known of as the Yuin Nation. Siân leads the research and development of documents that assist a project design team to Connect with Country.
Sian studied Landscape Architecture and has an interest in First Nations stewardship practises which have cared for and maintained this continent over many millennia. Incorporating a stewardship approach in the way we design can enable better outcomes, for biodiversity, and the health and wellbeing of Country and all that she contains including humans.
Russell Reid (Gamilaraay):
Russell is a Gamillaraay (Kamilaroi) man with an extensive history of working across multidisciplinary teams, especially in relation to Cultural Heritage and liaison with Traditional Owners and Indigenous communities. Russell Reid has the ability to develop strong stakeholder and community relationships with Aboriginal organisations, businesses and people along the project line.
Most recently, Russell undertook the role of being Aboriginal Affairs Manager on Pacific Completes’ Woolgoolga to Ballina project. This is one of the largest projects that WSP Australia has been involved with nationally. Russell’s role in successfully creating a high rate of Aboriginal participation on this project has been instrumental.
Project Examples
Boorloo Bridge
Consultation with a Whadjuk Noongar reference group facilitated by Technical Advisor, Michael Hromek, resulted in a culturally appropriate response to a piece of infrastructure that is following an important traditional pathway across the Swan River. This location is named ‘Matagarup’ - which means ‘place where the river is only knee deep’ and ‘river crossing place’.
The digging stick and the boomerang are incorporated into the bridge design, honouring historical Whadjuk Noongar figures Fanny Balbuk and Yagan. Both are significant figures in the Whadjuk Noongar cultures and their stories and cultural impact were instrumental throughout the design of this iconic project.
The product is a culturally rich space that honours the Whadjuk Noongar Country, people, history and stories. Boorloo Bridge took out Best Structure Over 35 Metres in the 2025 Austroads Bridge Awards for outstanding bridge design.
Sydney Harbour Cycleway
WSP’s Indigenous Specialist Services team in collaboration with TfNSW to create a project that highlights the Aboriginal connection to the Sydney Harbour area. This includes establishing connections with Gadigal and Cammaraygal Elders, community members and knowledge holders. WSP ISS team provided the design firms with technical advice regarding Connection to Country.
The cycleway features design from local Aboriginal artists Jason Wing and Maddison Gibbs. The main artwork seen in the image depicts two inter-connected eels, symbolising the past and present endurance of Aboriginal people, overcoming barriers, new landscapes/seascapes, social changes and more.
Level Crossing Removal Project (South)
WSP’s Indigenous Specialist Services worked with the Level Crossing Removal Project team to establish cultural context and co-design culturally driven outcomes (landscaping, architecture, placemaking, wayfinding etc) across all packages of the line that cross Kulin Nation Country, including near Hobsons Bay. We facilitate co-design sessions with the Traditional Owners of each part of the Country to ensure their input is gained early and often and ensure opportunities are presented to the Aboriginal community from a wide range of viewpoints.
The Yarning Circle at the new Karrum Karrum bridge for the Southern Program Alliance section of the Level Crossing Removal Project was designed with Boon Wurrung design vernacular and cultural patterns imprinted into the marker’s concrete. Bunjil, the great protector of the area and an important totem, flies above the marker through a metal facade element. It is frequently used by Traditional Owners as a place to perform culture and teach others about Country.
WSP Brisbane Office
We engaged local Indigenous artist Ailsa Walsh from Wulkuraka Designs to bring an Aboriginal narrative in providing a collaborative and inspiring workplace to more than 600 people at our Brisbane office. Ailsa is connected to the Kullili and Lardil nations via tribal bloodlines and the Yuggera nation through family. Her unique background permits her to use a variety of art styles and techniques in her work.
Our interior design partner - Hassell - collaborated with WSP’s Indigenous Specialist Services team and Ailsa to integrate and extend Indigenous knowledge and designs throughout the office fit out including lift lobby wraps; colour palettes of flooring, wall colours and soft furnishings; Indigenous patterns throughout meeting spaces; and a yarning circle in the communal staff area.
Client Testimonials
Midson Group - Uniting Shellharbour
"We have had a wonderful experience with the WSP team and the wonderful Elders who came on the journey with us. It's a great outcome all round."
Landcom - Edmonson Park Project
"Thanks again for facilitating such a valuable session - it was both engaging and insightful, and we're especially grateful to the elders for generously sharing their time and cultural knowledge of Country with us. The feedback we have received has been very positive and we’re excited about the opportunities to incorporate these ideas into our design."
