PEOPLE — VKRG

PEOPLE

Dr Julie Nichols is Senior Lecturer at the University of South Australia, teaching and researching in the Architecture Program for the Creative Academic Unit. Julie is founder of the Vernacular Knowledge Research Group. She is on the leadership team for the Australian Research Centre of Interactive and Virtual Environments.
Julie’s research is interdisciplinary and cross-cultural in its focus on architectural anthropological methods to understand the role of vernacular knowledge in the production of past, present and future human environments. Through immersive fieldwork practices in recording [manual and multi-modal], engagement with community for First Nations and Indonesian peoples, through the lens of cultural heritage and alternative world views, Julie’s work seeks answers to pressing questions of the climate crisis and suitable social justice-oriented design strategies, such as adaptive reuse, for future built environments. Dissemination, curation and re-conceptualisation of the role of cultural heritage knowledges for First Nations Peoples are investigated through existing and future cultural institution [GLAM sector] design strategies and are also the source of enquiry for Julie’s third book.

Darren is currently a Lecturer in Interior Architecture at the University of South Australia in the Academic Unit UniSA: Creative. He undertakes research and coordinates and delivers a variety of core courses in Interior Architecture and Architecture.
Darren’s research is focused on the utilisation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in existing structures, and the value it can add to capturing heritage using detailed processes such as VERNADOC. His teaching focus is the intermix of practice based learning, and bringing real world experience and skills into his classes, preparing the students for working in the 21st Century.
Darren was previously employed at the Architecture and Design Firm, Hames Sharley. He was engaged as part of the Project Team on the Adelaide Oval Redevelopment, he has also worked on Building the Education Revolution School Projects and numerous tenancy projects. Darren was previously a Lecturer in CAD in the School of Art, Architecture and Design, teaching there for 16 years. Darren has taught computer based exploration and presentation across the disciplines of Architecture and Interior Architecture. After completing his Degree in Interior Design, Darren focused primarily on the digital information and presentation and its utilisation in the design practice.

PARTNER

University

Bali, Indonesia

Bangkok, Thailand

Aceh, Indonesia

Jakarta, Indonesia

Depok, Indonesia

South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Industry Partner Testimonial

Keith McAllister

Managing Director— HSR (Aust) Group

PARTNER

Industry

Managing Director @ HSR Australia Group.

Aboriginal Cultural Tours Yorke Peninsula

Heritage Architect @ Heritage South Australia - Department for Environment and Water.

Aboriginal Corporation

Dr Susan Avey

Senior Heritage Architect Heritage South Australia, DEW

STUDENTS

PHD

Thesis title:
From Meunasah To Mosque
Supervisors:
1. Julie Nichols
2. Christopher Thornton

Thesis title: Stimulating design-led reuse: concepts, technologies & practice
Supervisors:
1. Dr Guy Keulemans (Principal)
2. Dr Julie Nichols
3. Dr Robert Crocker