Jan Juc architect secures national accolade

A JAN Juc architect and surfer has had his creative prowess recognised by securing national honours at the Australian Design Review Interior Design Excellence Awards.

Tim Birnie of Dawn Architecture won the Mark Robinson Award at a gala event in Melbourne last month.

The award acknowledges the positive impact interior design and architecture have on community or not-for-profit sectors.

Mr Birnie’s work on Geelong’s Murran – First Nations Business, Retail and Arts Hub “embodied the essence of the award on many levels”.

Designed by Mr Birnie and crafted in consultation with an all-female First Nations advisory group, the hub stands as a testament to Dawn Architecture’s commitment to ‘Blak excellence’.

By drawing on gathering, connection and collaboration, he ensured every aspect of the project met high standards of respect and cultural sensitivity.

 

“Murran has been carefully designed to offer the best flexibility for the range of activities to be hosted in the space, seamlessly incorporating Indigenous design to offer the perfect backdrop for this important community space for First Nations people,” jury member Manuela Milan said.

Mr Birnie said he was thrilled to take home the top award.

“We are feeling great about it, it’s super nice for everyone involved, including Ngarramili who run the space now,” he said.

“Architecture is a pretty slow process, and nothing happens overnight. It’s nice for it to get some recognition after the years of work.”

Since its opening in December 2023, the Murran Hub has held markets, workshops, band nights and business forums.

“We wanted to create a space of excellence that enables the activities for business development to be undertaken,” Mr Birnie said.

“The devil is really in the detail of how it’s been constructed. We are very proud of its ability to nurture First Nations businesses.”