ALWAYS COLLECTIVE
specialises in First Nations cultural design and community engagement services

Our name acknowledges those who came before us, uplifting the stories, cultural knowledge and wisdom of our ancestors.Our name speaks to our desire to co-create spaces that are equitable, accessible and make our communities proud.Our name reflects our responsibility to ensure Country, and the built environment is healthy and resilient, so that it can continue to teach and provide for generations to come.We work alongside First Nations communities and design teams, finding strength in our collective expertise – learning and creating together.Always was, always will be.

Always Collective
is a First Nations majority owned design studio.We specialise in First Nations cultural design and community engagement services.Our brandmark is shaped by the signatures of our families, friends, loved ones, and the people we work with.As we continue to collaborate, our logo grows as a living reminder of the relationships we build and the stories we share.

GABI MEEK | CO-FOUNDER
^{^{Ba. International Relations and Ba. Development Studies (ANU)}}
My name is Gabi Meek and I am a Koori woman with connections to the Hannah/Roy family from Central West, New South Wales. I have experience working in the conservation, community engagement and cultural design sectors.I am passionate about creating space for plants, animals and cultural practice in the built environment. I love spending time with community, thinking creatively and giving back to Country.

FEHIN COFFEY | CO-FOUNDER
^{^{Ba. Landscape Architecture (UC) (hons)}}
I’m Fehin Coffey, a non-Indigenous Landscape Architect, lecturer, and design facilitator committed to supporting community-led design. My practice is rooted in fostering meaningful connections with Country to co-create spaces that honour cultural care and reflect community aspirations.Through projects in landscape remediation, health infrastructure, and state-significant developments, I have worked alongside communities to champion solutions that nurture Country. I strive to help shape environments that are reflective of their legacies, adaptive to our collective needs, and enduring for generations to come.

50°C: Climate, Heat and Resilience

50°C: Climate, Heat and Resilience is a Year 9–10 Interdisciplinary Project by the Powerhouse Museum and supported by the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer.Always Collective led several Designing with Country Workshops where students were invited to ground themselves on Country and consider how it has changed since colonisation. Drawing on these reflections and their own lived experiences, students designed futures for their school that combat climate change and celebrate Country through built form, landscape, materiality and sustainable systems.

50°C: Climate, Heat and Resilience Program
Students participating in Connecting with Country design workshop
Uncle Colin Locke from Muru Mittigar performing a smoking ceremony for workshop participants
Climate Summit Program | April 2025
Powerhouse board game that simulates decision-making in local government planning for heatwaves.

Workshop participants strategising and exploring the principles of gamification with Boho Interactive
Bringing complex ideas to life through interactive game models.
Game prototype that illustrates water flow, connectivity, and community decision-making.
Prototyping games that connect Country and community
Hand-drawn game maps showcasing ideas around traditional knowledge, resource access, and landscape restoration.

Gamification: Bridging Landscape, Community, and Country

With Mulloon Institute, we explored the innovative potential of gamification to bridge landscape repair, community engagement, and connecting to Country through a workshop led by expert game designers Boho Interactive.This hands-on session provided an opportunity to immerse ourselves in the complexities of game design, using narrative, tipping points, feedback loops, and game mechanics to enhance our approach to these critical issues. Gamification isn’t just for entertainment; it’s a powerful way to connect people to Country, systems thinking, and ecological restoration. By embedding play into learning, we foster curiosity, collaboration, and an understanding of how to navigate long-term stewardship.

Coming soon....

Always Collective have more projects on the horizon! Stay tuned via our socials for updates on exciting new collaborations.

DESIGNING WITH COUNTRY

We co-create places that are grounded in Country, Community and culture, ensuring their relevance and resilience for generations to come.

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