Call to Action:
To create inclusive and transformative architectural spaces that foster a sense of belonging and enhance learning outcomes, attendees are encouraged to take the following immediate, pragmatic steps post-session:

1. Engage with your Local ALEP, Local Communities and Cultural Experts: Initiate dialogues with an Accredited Learning Environment Planner to guide you engagement with First Nations, native and local cultural representatives, as well as local community members, to understand their stories, traditions, and values. This will inform the design process and ensure that cultural integration is authentic and meaningful.
2. Identify and Visit Exemplar Projects: Research and visit successful architectural projects that have effectively integrated cultural elements and fostered a sense of belonging. Learning from these examples will provide practical insights into what good practice looks like and how it can be applied to your own projects.
3. Incorporate Multisensory Design Elements: Design spaces that cater to different perceptual learning styles by incorporating auditory, visual, tactual, and kinesthetic elements. This approach will enhance users’ ability to process and retain information, making the space more effective for learning and engagement. By taking these steps, attendees can start creating architectural spaces that not only reflect cultural identities but also enhance the overall well-being and success of their users.

Abstract: In this presentation, we will explore how a strong sense of belonging and ownership in architectural spaces can enhance learning outcomes and project success. Based on my observations and experiences, this often-overlooked factor is equally important as the others defined by the Dunn and Dunn Learning Style Model. A strong sense of belonging can be fostered through three primary drivers:

• Culture: Integrating elements of native and local cultures visibly into the building’s design and interior, fosters a sense of pride and belonging. We’ll examine real-world examples where cultural integration has positively impacted user experiences.
• People: Designing spaces that respond to the stories, traditions, and rituals of the communities they serve, particularly those of First Nations and native cultures, creates a sense of belonging. Case studies will illustrate how reflecting the people, past, present, and future in design leads to more inclusive and effective learning spaces.
• Place: Buildings that acknowledge and respond to their local and wider geographic, environmental, and cultural landscapes, create a connection to the land and its people, fostering a sense of belonging. We’ll look at successful projects that have achieved this harmony.

The creation of belonging underpins and supports the success of the Dunn and Dunn model factors—physiological, emotional, sociological, psychological, perceptual, and environmental—by providing a foundation for more effective and meaningful engagement with the architectural space. This presentation will highlight real-world examples of how belonging and cultural integration, especially regarding the New Zealand cultural context, contribute to improved learning outcomes and project success. Join me as we navigate “New Horizons in Learning Environments” by delving into these factors and showcasing real-world examples where inclusive architecture has been achieved through cultural integration, improving both project and learning outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the Importance of Belonging: Recognize how a strong sense of belonging in architectural spaces can enhance learning outcomes and project success.
2. Identify Cultural Integration Strategies: Learn how to integrate elements of First Nations and native cultures into building design and interior to foster a sense of pride and belonging.
3. Analyse Real-World Examples: Examine case studies and real-world examples of successful architectural projects that incorporate cultural, people, and place-driven designs to create a sense of belonging.
4. Explore the Dunn and Dunn Learning Style Model: Understanding how a sense of belonging underpins and supports the physiological, emotional, sociological, psychological, perceptual, and environmental factors defined by the Dunn and Dunn Learning Style Model to enhance engagement with architectural spaces.