COUNTRY - CULTURE - COMMUNITY
Our Studio
Burrindi Design Studio brings a First Nations way of knowing and being along with an approach that recognises the deep interconnected knowledge system of Country. Our Country Centric Design Methodology has been developed through years of research and industry application to create a process that is authentic and inclusive.
Our team provides specialised skills across multiple sectors of the built environment. With demonstrated success and the ability to adapt to ensure achievable and valuable outcomes for our clients.
“This process allows a uniquely Australian design vernacular to emerge one grounded in Country”
Designing with Country
Key to designing with cultural knowledge is to understand that each project is different. Our process is formulated around the grounding knowledge of First Nations Design Principles, research, cultural knowledge and Country centric design methodology. This multifaceted process allows us to understand the opportunities and constraints of each project, allowing the translation of cultural knowledge to shared authentically.
Country Centric Methodology
Our Country Centric Design methodology applies a logic of balance, where the hierarchy of human-centred design is dismissed, creating space for balance and harmony between all things.
Our People
Theresa Bower
DIRECTOR
Theresa Bower is a proud Wiradjuri women and director of Burrundi Design Studio, based on the Gold Coast QLD. She has spent the past 15 years’ working in several sectors of the built environment, from architecture, landscape design, art installation, research and academia.
Theresa has a bachelor degree in architecture and is currently studying a Masters of Philosophy at University of Queensland, on embedding First Nations culture into the built environment.
As the “Director” of Burrundi Design Studio Theresa’s work pushes the boundaries though a holistic design approach in translating First Nations knowledges and technologies, to embed cultural identity into the built environment. This approach enables a uniquely Australian vernacular to emerge though the design process, one that is grounded in Country.
Dean Johnson
BUSINESS MANAGER
Dean Johnson has 15 year’s experience in project and operations management across the construction industry. He is passionate about creating economic opportunities for First Nation people and promoting diversity and inclusion in the built environment.
Dean has a multitude of skills across business management, client relations and project facilitation and provides operational support across all of Burrundi Design projects.
Jessica Kane
RESEARCHER AND ARCHITECTURAL GRADUATE
Jessica Kane is a researcher of architecture and architectural history. Her research predominately focuses on Aboriginal cultural landscapes and Indigenous lifeways. She has a Master of Architecture and a Master of Philosophy in architecture and has worked as a research assistant at the Aboriginal Environments Research Collaborative, University of Queensland for nine years.
Jess also works as an architectural consultant assisting First Nations people and designers to embed Aboriginal geography into contemporary urban projects. Jessica’s design philosophy is to produce architecture, which is environmentally, economically, socially and culturally responsive and believes that designing with Country is vital to achieving this.
Lyn Bale
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Lyn has previously worked as an Event’s Manager having done weddings, festivals and conferences for the first 20yrs of her working career and had volunteered on many charity events in that time also to gain a range of experience working with a diverse range of people.
She then went on to become Customer Experience and Engagement Manager for various industries including Finance and Logistics. Building long lasting and trusting relationships and helping people create their dreams through economic empowerment.
Lyn has a passionate interest in people and cultures and enjoys the diversity of being able to use a holistic approach, to learn, respect and build trust and understanding to achieve best outcomes for all.