Murran – First Nations Business, Retail and Arts Hub

Murran was designed and built in collaboration with many stakeholders and consultants, ensuring excellence in design and construction.

The design of Murran was developed through a series of workshops with Dawn Architecture and an all-female First Nations advisory group consisting of Bek Lasky, Marsha Uppill, Corrina Eccles, Kira Mee and MP Christine Couzens.

Murran, meaning Eucalyptus in Wadawurrung language, represents a welcome gift, cleansing and healing. The architectural response is inspired by and proposes spaces for gathering, connection, culture, and collaboration, evident in the spatial sequence which is a series of circles connected by transitional zones, of places of coming together and the journey between. The open plan is divided into two main zones, with the retail store, art gallery and café together as the public zone, and coworking and meeting rooms as the business zone. Materials and colour selections reference the Indigenous landscape, and also compliment and resolve constraints of the existing building. For example, the black ceiling referencing the night sky, extends the ceiling and also hides existing services.

Key contributors include the all-female First Nations advisory group, Ngarrimili team members Cormach Evans, Bek Lasky, Coco Eke, Samantha French and Nevadah Ooi Cleary, design consultant Chris Connell Design, Gerard Black of Baiyami Art and builder Laney Constructions. Other consultants including engineer, access consultant, lighting designer, and sound engineer were engaged to ensure all structural, safety, lighting and sound aspects were resolved with excellence respectively.

The project was partly funded by the Victorian State Government, with the build completed on time and budget in December 2023. Dawn Architecture worked closely with the builder Laney Constructions during construction to ensure details and milestones were achieved as intended.

The brief for Murran called for the design of a world class space that embodies First Nations excellence. The design, material selection, finishes and detailing were all considered with this in mind, and aim to inspire patrons and staff in striving for excellence. The retail store and art gallery provide a showcase of local and national First Nations products and artwork from emerging businesses and artists, sharing First Nations culture with the mainstream at an accessible price point.

The program is a direct response to Ngarrimili’s brief for an accessible, inclusive and connected set of spaces offering dedicated user experiences. Visitors enter through the retail store and journey through the art gallery to reach the centrally positioned café. The café servicing both visitors and business patrons alike. To the other end is the more private business zone with coworking spaces, meeting and conference rooms, providing world class training and business facilities for workshops, events and conferences. The open plan and portable art walls and furniture provide flexibility of use that caters for various functions and events.

Murran provides a culturally safe and inclusive space, awarded by the open plan, abundant natural and artificial lighting, and close connection to the street.

Client statement – Cormach Evans, Ngarrimili
“Murran fulfils our requirements and exceeds our expectations as a world class Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business, retail and arts hub on Wadawurrung Country. The hub reflects the local people and culture respectfully, after consultation with the Traditional Owners, and is a welcoming, functioning environment in conversation with Wadawurrung culture. The hub provides for a multitude of productive functions in a beautiful space for Ngarrimili’s ever expanding services. Each space creating a new experience for visitors, whilst remaining true to Ngarrimili’s core vision of Blak Excellence.”

Murran is a First Nations owned and managed world class multipurpose hub supporting First Nations business and economic development. This premise is unique and a Victorian first. Murran provides a platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, businesses and brands, whilst also offering a space for community to gather to share in Aboriginal culture.

The hub carries on from a legacy of over 80,000 years of First Nations economic development, acknowledging the historical success derived from trading, agricultural practices, ceremonies, and various other contributions to prosperity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across the country.

Murran implements the notion of a circular economy, whereby First Nations businesses provided with training and career pathways can go on to generate products and services that are either sold in the retail store or help in the training and upskilling of other First Nations businesses respectively. The retail store stocks First Nations brands from across the country, many of whom Ngarrimili have supported through their organisation. The art gallery develops and exhibits new and emerging First Nations artists. The café employs, trains and mentors First Nations young people and community members. The coworking space provides the community with a culturally safe space for people to work and collaborate with one another, and facilitates group and 1:1 workshops and events with culturally informed support from aspiring and established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and creatives across Australia. The meeting and conference rooms are for the wider community to utilise, which injects money directly back into the operations and programs with Murran and Ngarrimili.

Murran provides the First Nations and wider community with business opportunities, culture and learning. On a socio-economic level, Murran brings community together through programs and events, and supports businesses through mentoring and upskilling, helping cultivate First Nations business and economic development, with the purpose of encouraging self-determination and intergenerational wealth and economic success.

Since opening in December 2023, Murran has operated successfully as intended, with highlights including a monthly market, workshops and events, including numerous music events such as the Sofar Sounds gig featuring celebrated First Nations artist Dan Sultan.

The design of Murran was developed by Dawn Architecture and an all-female First Nations advisory group, ensuring local matriarchs were at the forefront of the design and stories of Wadawurrung Country were incorporated into the space.

In terms of environmental sustainability, the fitout of Murran was designed for reuse and ease of de-fitting in mind. Joinery, lighting and furniture has been designed and built for easy removal including the circular point of sale and cafe, and amphitheatre seating. The intent was to do more with less and create flexible spaces for easy adaptation and longevity.

Murran is a cultural centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, businesses and brands, and has become a destination within Geelong and Victoria for the First Nations and wider community to visit and share in Aboriginal culture.