Sites of Ritual | Bonnyrigg
A day of ceremony and conversation, exploring how design and architectural principles support faith and cultural practice. It will include tours, talks and performances from community members and local designers. Powerhouse Collection objects will be on display in each space and food will be available.
Three neighbouring sites at Bibbys Place in Bonnyrigg — Phap Bao Pagoda, Vietnamese Community Cultural Centre, and GracePoint Chinese Presbyterian Church — will welcome visitors for a day of ceremony and conversation. This program highlights design as a living expression of culture, passed down through generations, embedded in rituals and shaping how communities gather, remember and belong.
There will be a free shuttle service from Cabramatta Station to Bibbys Place, starting at 10.30am, leaving half-hourly. Spaces are limited. Please look for a Powerhouse sign and staff member at the bus zone on Railway Parade.
Program
Phap Bao Pagoda is a Vietnamese Mahayana Buddhist temple led by resident monastics. Phap Bao supports spiritual practice and community life through teaching, meditation and architectural care
11am Talks
Venerable Pho Huan shares Buddhist design principles applied toshrine layout and Bodhi Tree placement to create alignment and symbolism in ritual space.
Venerable Giac Anh reveals the architectural foundations of stupa design in Phap Bao’s construction that bring Buddhist teachings into the built form through geometry and architectural orientation.
11.40am Lunch
Communal Vegetarian Lunch by the Bodhi Tree.
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GracePoint Chinese Presbyterian Church is home to a multigenerational Chinese-Australian Christian community. The church integrates faith, music and cultural expression in daily life and worship.
12.30pm In Conversation
Pastor Benny Ho in-conversation with Powerhouse program curator Gary Paramanathan discussing how design informs ritual at GracePoint Chinese Presbyterian Church.
12.45pm Performance
GracePoint Chinese Presbyterian Church members perform a Biblical Chinese opera demonstrating the connection of their faith and Chinese performing arts heritage.
1pm Calligraphy Demonstration
Calligrapher Jack Sea hosts a demonstration and workshop exploring the design logic of classical brushstrokes, line weight and character composition.
1.15pm Workshop
Participants are invited to try their hand at Calligraphy to create their own calligraphic works to take home.
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Vietnamese Community Cultural Centre is a community-run space that celebrates Vietnamese culture through performance, language classes and intergenerational arts programs rooted in shared heritage.
11.30am Workshop
Led by Tammy Dang and Thao Nhi La, create a family portrait inspired by Đông Hồ folk prints. Using paper cuttings, design layered landscapes and add playful Đông Hồ pigs, blending tradition with contemporary design.
1.30–3pm A celebration of Vietnamese heritage and design through sound, costume and movement hosted by local curator Tammy Dang. Traditional garments áo dài and áo tứ thân are worn by dancers and musicians, with stories shared about their origins and symbolism.
Talk
Local practitioners Thao Nhi La and Tammy Dang explore cultural identity and intergenerational creative practices through Đông Hồ folk prints, tracing their evolution from carved woodblocks to contemporary graphic design.
Performance
- Traditional Vietnamese instrumental performance with narration by Nostalgia Band.
- Dance performances by children’s group VietAus Little Stars and ensemble Viet Vũ.
- Traditional Cải Lương theatre performance.
Featuring
Principal Partner
