In Merrima Design, Indigenous architects and designers collaborate to provide architectural design services to Indigenous communities throughout Australia.

Architect, Dillon Kombumerri, established the Merrima Aboriginal Design Unit within the NSW Government Architects Office (GAO) in 1995 and was joined by architect Kevin O'Brien in 1997 and interior designer Alison Page in 1998.

In 2000, Merrima Design was launched as an association of Indigenous designers. Dillon continued at GAO in Sydney while Kevin and Alison established private practices in Brisbane and Coffs Harbour respectively.

This arrangement allows Merrima designers to pool their unique resources and to work more effectively in both the private and public sectors. It also gives graduating Indigenous designers greater opportunities to work in different locations.

Merrima is committed to realising self-determination by identifying employment opportunities for Indigenous people at all stages of a project, from design to construction.

Although Merrima's work is mainly for Indigenous communities, the group collaborates with other architects, academics and artists to bring a unique Indigenous perspective to non-Indigenous projects.

It has undertaken projects for such NSW Government agencies as Health, Ministry for the Arts, Corrective Services and Juvenile Justice. Recent interstate projects include work for Justice Victoria and the Queensland Museum.

Contact:

Dillon Kombumerri
Tel: (02) 9372 8323
Fax: (02) 9372 8366
Email: dillon.kombumerri@services.nsw.gov.au

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