What Djinjama does

Djinjama is a First Nations cultural design studio based in Surry Hills, Sydney, founded around 2020 and led by Dr Danièle Hromek, the first Indigenous person in Australia to achieve a PhD in built environment and spatial disciplines. The studio provides Country-centred design services integrating Indigenous spatial knowledge with spatial design, landscape design, interpretive design, cultural mapping, countermapping, master planning, and policy advisory work. Its core methodology, known as Country Centred Design, combines Reading Country, Sensing Country, and Narratives of Country to embed Aboriginal cultural heritage into the centre of built environment projects rather than treating it as an add-on. The studio also produces research publications and frameworks, most notably the Connecting with Country Framework for Government Architect NSW, which has become foundational policy for NSW government built environment work.

Djinjama operates as a B2B professional services consultancy with a lean team of approximately five full-time staff plus collaborators. Revenue is generated through project-based engagements won via direct outreach, referrals, design competitions, and government procurement processes. The client base is concentrated in government (state and local agencies, primarily in NSW), tier-one architecture and design firms (Hassell, Snøhetta, Aileen Sage, Edition Office, BVN), educational institutions (UNSW, Western Sydney University), and select enterprises (Mirvac). Djinjama functions as a specialist cultural sub-consultant embedded within larger multidisciplinary design teams, serving as the First Nations cultural authority on projects such as Sydney Metro, the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility, the Ngurra National Precinct, and the Harbourside Precinct at Darling Harbour. The studio has won multiple international and national awards, including a 2023 International Architecture Award for the Ngurra Precinct, and has institutionalised its methodology through policy adoption and contributions to the National Standard of Competency for Architects.

Name

Djinjama

Legal name

Djinjama

Website

https://djinjama.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Djinjama is a First Nations cultural design studio based in Sydney providing Country-centred spatial design, interpretive design, cultural mapping, and policy advisory services to government agencies, architecture firms, and educational institutions across Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Design Consultancy

NAICS

Landscape Architectural Services (541320), Interior Design Services (541410), Other Specialized Design Services (54149)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Landscape Architecture & Site Design (BPAHAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Regional & Land Use Planning (BPAHAKAE)

Keywords

• Cultural design services
• First Nations design
• Country-centred design
• Cultural mapping services
• Interpretive design services

Headquarters

HQ city

Surry Hills, Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Design and Architecture Consultancy Services: Djinjama generates revenue by providing spatial design, landscape design, architectural design, interpretive design, master planning, urban planning, and cultural design services to government and private sector clients. Revenue is project-based and contracted through direct engagements, design competitions, and government procurement.
2. Research and Advisory Services: Djinjama publishes research, develops guidance frameworks and policy documents for government bodies (e.g., NSW Government, Australian Institute of Architects), and provides cultural advisory and peer review services. These engagements generate consulting income.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Djinjama is a First Nations Cultural Design Studio that delivers Country-centred spatial design, landscape design, interpretive design, cultural mapping, co-creation, and design guidance services to government agencies, architecture firms, and institutional clients. The firm also produces commissioned research publications and policy frameworks — most notably the Connecting with Country Framework for the NSW Government — that guide culturally appropriate engagement with First Nations peoples in built environment projects.

Product overview

Djinjama is a First Nations Cultural Design Studio offering Country-centred design and research services. Their portfolio consists of six core service offerings: Spatial Design Services, Interpretive and Object Design, Cultural Mapping, Co-Creation and Curation, Design Guidance, and Advocacy and Research. These services are delivered through collaborative projects across architecture, landscape, urban planning, and built environment sectors. The studio also produces research publications including the Connecting with Country Framework, Indigenous Interpretation Strategies, and various guidelines for working respectfully with First Nations peoples. Djinjama does not offer a software product but provides professional services integrating Indigenous knowledge systems into design and planning processes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Spatial Design Services
• Interpretive and Object Design
• Cultural Mapping
• Co-Creation and Curation
• Design Guidance
• Advocacy and Research
• Connecting with Country Framework
• Indigenous Interpretation Strategy
• Planning for Country Countermapping
• Social Impact Assessment Guidelines
• Guidelines for the Use of Aboriginal Languages

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• COLA StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Djinjama and COLA Studio collaborated on ngurrak barring, designing five architectural nodes throughout the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria for Yarra Ranges Council. Also collaborated on Gunyama Park Stage 2.
• Transport for NSWcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Djinjama worked with Transport for NSW to develop Social Impact Assessment Guidelines for TfNSW projects. The engagement involved preparing guidance for identification and assessment of potential impacts relating to Aboriginal spiritual and cultural aspects.
• Edition OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Djinjama, Hassell, and Edition Office collaborated to win the architectural design competition for Ngurra: The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Precinct in Canberra. Djinjama brings Indigenous-led design process ensuring Country leads the design team.
• WSP (Engagement)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021WSP provided engagement services for the Guruwaal Alumni Park project at UNSW, working with Djinjama (curator) and McGregor Westlake Architecture and Spackman Mossop Michaels (Landscape).
• Western Parkland City AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Western Parkland City Authority engaged Djinjama and Hassell to develop the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF) — the first building in Bradfield City Centre. Djinjama provided cultural design and Country-centred methodology for this landmark project.
• HassellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDjinjama collaborates extensively with Hassell on major built environment projects including Harbourside Precinct (with Snøhetta), Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF), Parliament House Precinct Plan, and Ngurra National Precinct (with Edition Office). Djinjama provides the cultural design expertise and Country-centred methodology while Hassell provides the broader architectural and design execution.
• SnøhettacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDjinjama collaborated with Snøhetta and Hassell as cultural designers to win the international competition for the Harbourside Precinct transformation at Darling Harbour. Djinjama brings Country to the centre of the design, working alongside Snøhetta's international design expertise.
• Aileen Sage ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDjinjama works closely with Aileen Sage Architects on multiple projects including the Redfern Community Facility, Rossmore Grange Pilot, Marray (Wet) installation, and Gunyama Park projects. The collaboration integrates cultural design with architecture and landscape architecture.
• Government Architect NSWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDjinjama's director Dr Danièle Hromek was lead consultant and researcher for the Connecting with Country Framework, created for Government Architect NSW. This framework has become a foundational policy document guiding NSW government built environment projects.
• Australian Institute of ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDjinjama contributed to the First Nations Research Hub, an online platform developed by the Australian Institute of Architects to guide built environment professionals. Dr Hromek collaborated with the First Nations Advisory Committee to develop educational materials and architectural guidelines.
• Sydney Metro / Parklife MetrocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDjinjama was engaged by Parklife Metro to lead and support Designing with Country protocols for the Sydney Metro Airport Line, including early-stage cultural research, engagement with Dharug/Darug Elders and Knowledge Holders, and guidance on First Nations spaces and cultural activations for each station.
• Sarah Jane JonesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitect and designer Sarah Jane Jones is a repeat collaborator on multiple Djinjama projects including Gunyama Park (Stage 1 and Stage 2), Marray (Wet), and Inner West Interpretive Signage.
• Sue Barnsley DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSue Barnsley Design engaged Djinjama as cultural designers for the Sydney Observatory Masterplan, providing Reading of Country Recommendations and Country Centred Design Frameworks to guide landscape design.
• GML HeritageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDjinjama collaborated with the GML Heritage team alongside Hassell for the Macquarie Street East Precinct masterplan, contributing cultural and Country-centred design alongside heritage expertise.
• BVNminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDjinjama brought Country Centred Design Approach to the development of The King's School Masterplan and STEAM Building, collaborating with BVN (architecture) and Taylor Brammer (landscape architecture).
• SJB ArchitectureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDjinjama worked with SJB Architecture on the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore Precinct Masterplan for Property and Development NSW, providing Reading of Country Recommendations and Designing with Country guidance.
• Taylor BrammerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture collaborator on The King's School Masterplan and STEAM Building project alongside BVN and Djinjama.
• Place Design GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Djinjama on Gunyama Park Stage 2 landscape concept and interpretation, alongside COLA Studio, Aileen Sage Architects, Sarah Jane Jones, TCL, and Andrew Burges Architects.
• TCL (Taylor Cullity Lethlean)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture collaborator on Gunyama Park Stage 2 alongside Djinjama and other project partners.
• Andrew Burges ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture collaborator on Gunyama Park Stage 2 alongside Djinjama and other project partners.
• Aboriginal Outcomes Directorate (NSW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDjinjama was engaged by the Aboriginal Outcomes Directorate in collaboration with NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust to research and draft the Guidelines for the Use of Aboriginal Languages for NSW public servants.
• NSW Aboriginal Languages TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Djinjama and Aboriginal Outcomes Directorate to develop Guidelines for the Use of Aboriginal Languages, providing language practitioner input to ensure cultural integrity.
• Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr Danièle Hromek was contracted by AACA to author the Explanatory Notes and Definitions for the 2021 National Standard of Competency for Architects, incorporating First Nations principles in understanding and respecting Country.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Broad incumbents

• BVN: Major Australian architecture firm with a national presence across education, civic, and commercial projects. Comparable to Djinjama as a co-design partner on masterplans (e.g., The King's School) and a broader design incumbent that increasingly needs First Nations cultural expertise.
• Architecture Architecture: Australian architecture practice recognised for cultural and public architecture. Comparable to Djinjama in Australian built-environment design and overlapping engagement with cultural and community projects.
• Edition Office: Australian architecture practice recognised for cultural and civic architecture. Comparable to Djinjama as a co-design partner on the Ngurra National Precinct competition and as a broader design incumbent in Australian cultural architecture.
• McGregor Westlake Architecture: Australian architecture firm engaged on university and public projects (e.g., UNSW Alumni Park). Comparable to Djinjama as a collaborator on the same projects and as a broader practice active in the cultural design space.

Direct peers

• ASPECT Studios: Award-winning Australian landscape architecture practice with cultural and civic landscape specialisation. Comparable to Djinjama in landscape design, public realm work, and engagement on major Australian infrastructure projects.
• Tract Consultants: Australian landscape architecture and urban design firm with strong cultural and environmental design capability. Comparable to Djinjama in landscape architecture methodology, project scale, and government/institutional client base.
• Terri Janke and Company: Indigenous-led cultural consultancy and law firm specialising in Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) and cultural protocols. Directly comparable to Djinjama as an Indigenous-led advisory practice supporting built-environment and creative projects with cultural authority.
• Taylor Brammer: Australian landscape architecture firm working on masterplans, civic, and educational projects. Comparable to Djinjama in landscape design services and recurring collaboration with tier-one architecture firms on major projects.
• Spackman Mossop Michaels: Australian landscape architecture firm with significant civic, transport, and public realm work. Comparable to Djinjama in landscape architecture scope and involvement in major transport infrastructure projects.
• Indigenous Architecture and Design (IAD): Indigenous-led architecture and design collective working on Country-centred built environment projects across Australia. Comparable as a peer Indigenous-led design practice operating in the same niche of First Nations cultural design.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Djinjama