Undergraduate 4th Grade Design — Spring, 2024
Site: Adelaide, Australia
Individual work
Instructor: Zichao Zhu
Where Nature and Spirit Meet, Inspired by the Eternal Cycle of Life
Nestled in Adelaide’s Warriparinga Wetlands, this Kaurna culture kindergarten embodies the Kaurna people’s deep connection to nature and their belief in the eternal cycles of life and renewal. Inspired by Dreaming stories, the design weaves cultural meaning with child-friendly spaces, creating an environment that nurtures growth, exploration, and a profound respect for the land’s spiritual heritage.
Naa Ghan buluda —— SNAKE DRAMING
It is believed that in the Dreamtime, the entire earth was in a dormant state. One day, the Rainbow Serpent awoke from beneath the earth. Filled with energy from her extended slumber, she traversed across Australia, leaving behind winding trails. As she began her journey back, she awakened the frogs, symbolizing the cycle of life and death as new life stirred within the landscape.
The KAURNA CULTURE KINDERGARTEN is located in the Warriparinga Wetlands, a site of significant cultural and ecological importance that has served as a gathering place and spiritual homeland for the Kaurna people. Adjacent to the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre and near the Sturt River Wetlands Reserve, the kindergarten is also close to Purrkanitya – Aboriginal Elders Village, emphasizing the connection between generations and the cycle of life and death. This setting provides a nurturing environment that connects children with their cultural heritage and the natural world.
© 2019–2025 Mi Zhou. Images, drawings, and text by Mi Zhou unless credited.
