The assertion of Indigenous identity through architecture: A commentary on Australian and Sub-Saharan African architectural experiences

Within the last decade there has been a noticeable rise in contemporary architecture designed by, with, and for Indigenous peoples across the world. Such architectural projects have been developed at a range of scales (for example, residential, community, provincial ⁄ homeland, and national works), each drawing on culturally-specific Indigenous ways of knowing to generate meaningful works that are consistent with and reflective of Indigenous lifestyles, his- tories, cultures, and communities, and that celebrate and embed Indigenous identities. Making architectural works that are Indigenous-led (i.e. guided by Indigenous ontology) or Indigenous- informed is not an homogeneous process, as Johannesburg-based architect, Mphethi Morojele notes: ‘... the manner in which indigeneity is interpreted around the world is extremely diverse’.1 This article comments on traditional Indigenous architectures, housing design, and the growth of contemporary Indigenous architectures in Australia, as compared to countries across sub-Saharan Africa.