Bower’s leadership team demonstrates diverse and complementary skill sets. Most are ex-Bower graduates who excel at building community relationships and mentoring new student groups.
Dr David O’Brien
BPD, BArch (hons), PhD
Senior Lecturer in Architectural Design and Technology
Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, University of Melbourne
David has twenty-five years experience in the construction field designing and building for both commercial and community based clients. He has project managed the construction of community development projects in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, Thailand and Papua New Guinea. David initiated the Bower Studio in 2007 and has more recently co-developed the HomesPLUS initiative.
George Stavrias
B.A (hons), B.Sc, BPD, MArch
George Stavrias is a registered architect and a director of the HomesPLUS program. George has worked as a designer and project manager on six Bower Studio projects in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. His role includes community liaison, project design and documentation, site management and post-occupancy evaluation.
James Neil
James Neil is a registered builder with thirty years experience in sustainable design and construction. James has led HomesPLUS projects in Central Australia and the Cox Peninsular. He designed the Bower composting toilet system and has coordinated projects to install facilities in Papua New Guinea.
Zoe Diacolabrianos
Interior Design, BArts , MArch
Zoe has participated in Bower Studio projects working at the Belyuen community on the Cox Peninsular in 2013. Zoe also works on the Bower Farm projects at Dookie.
Lyndon Ormond-Parker
BA, Grad Dip, PhD
Lyndon was born in Darwin and is of Alyawarr decent from the Barkly tablelands region of the Northern Territory. He is involved in advocacy, policy development, research and negotiations focused on Indigenous communities.
Gina Dahl
BPD, MArch
After joining the Bower students to complete the Kalkaringi/Daguragu Child and Family Centre in 2021 Gina was invited to continue working on Gurindji country supporting the Karungkarni Arts center with new artists’ spaces. Her award-winning MArch design thesis centre informs this current project.
Damien Cresp
BPD, MArch
Damien is a recent Bower graduate with experience working with the Yorta Yorta and Gurindji people. He was instrumental in the co-design and co-building of the on country learning (ONCL) pavilion at Cummeragunja and design proposals for the social club at Kalkaringi. He works at Stavrias Architecture in Melbourne.
Trevor Galgal
BSc. Forestry, PGDip. Agric.
Trevor Galgal works as a project manager for Bower Studio projects located within Papua New Guinea. Trevor, supported by an extended family, is the perfect ‘Mr Fix it’ solving the most challenging situations.
Nicky Henderson
BA, MArch
Nicky has worked at the Titjikala community in the Northern Territory and has helped coordinate and design Bower projects at Wadeye.
Jack Hinkson
BEnv, MArch
Jack has worked with communities in the Northern Territory and helps prefabricate much of our steel work.
Matt Breen
BPD, MArch
Matt Breen is a graduate of the Master of Architecture program at the University of Melbourne and has worked at the Bellery Springs, Belyuen and Titjikala Indigenous communities in Australia. He has built and undertaken post-occupancy work at the Sipaia Community in PNG.