About us
Meet the team
Marjorie combines rich design sensibility with grounded pragmatism in her role as Director and co-founder of KIN Architects. She wants to make architecture approachable, and – in the spirit of KIN’s ethos - foster a positive, family-like dynamic within every project. Raised in a family of small business owners, and having renovated her own house, she brings first-hand understanding of the practical and commercial realities of a project. Blended with her extensive professional experience, this positions her as an invaluable resource, an experienced sounding board and a strong advocate for clients throughout the entire process. Having grown up, studied and worked in Brisbane, Marjorie is fondly familiar with its character, and through her work she seeks to make sensitive and thoughtful enhancements to the language of its streetscapes. Time spent overseas – including working with the Venice Biennale construction team, aiding the Solomon Islands Tsunami recovery, and participating in the Mongol Rally – provided her with broad horizons and an enriched her approach to design (and life). She still loves to travel, and will grab any opportunity to be in nature, whether surfing, fishing or gardening.
Marjorie Dixon
Director | Architect
Leah is a seasoned architect with a love of sensitive, delightful design. Since founding KIN Architects alongside Marjorie, she channels her skills and knowledge into creating beautiful architecture in a way that is accessible, enjoyable and low stress. With a genuine enthusiasm for her work, a drive to understand her clients’ needs, and an ability to distill many ideas into one realistic solution, her approach to design delivers outcomes that surpass expectations and create moments of joy within the everyday. Prior to KIN, Leah gained valuable experience from some of Brisbane’s leading architecture firms - including seven years at Kieron Gait Architects – which is complemented by her role as Queensland Chapter Councillor of the Australian Institute of Architects. This well-rounded foundation of knowledge is brought to each and every project, and also equips her well as a mentor for developing professionals. When she’s not at work, she’s probably thinking about architecture... and when she’s not doing that, you might find her cooking (Leah is a veritable appliance connoisseur), camping or sailing.
Director | Architect
Leah Gallagher
Ashlee is an experienced addition to the KIN team. Completing her studies at University of Queensland in 2015 - including a semester abroad in Canada - she has since worked across a variety of sectors, including seniors living, stadium design and multi-res. Her work in aged care sparked an interest in design that facilitates ageing in place: allowing inhabitants to meaningfully live in and enjoy a space throughout multiple phases of life. She’s a passionate problem solver, and believes in delivering outcomes that are thoughtfully tailored to the client and their needs. Ash is also drawn to landscape design, an interest that equips her with a wholistic approach to projects, and is complemented by her own green thumb. If she’s not gardening, she’s likely to be in the kitchen, where she aims to master a new recipe each week.
Architect
Ashlee Chimes
Hailing from New Zealand, Paul is a recently registered architect passionate about sensitive, nature-oriented design. He most enjoys creating architecture that blurs the lines between inside and outside, and sparks remarkable moments from everyday interactions with sunlight, breezes and views. Paul’s approach to architecture draws much inspiration from his love of the outdoors. His childhood was spent sailing, bushwalking and exploring bays, and he still takes great pleasure in immersing himself in nature and getting out of his comfort zone. Since completing his studies at University of Queensland and Lund, Sweden, Paul has gained valuable experience working with leading Brisbane practices, including Anna O’Gorman Architects and Richards & Spence. This practical experience is complemented by his participation in the Glenn Murcutt Master Class, a course centred around designing with a sensitive, humble response to people and place. When he’s not at work or adventuring outside, Paul is interested in wood-working, pottery and the craft of how things go together – contributing to his deep understanding and appreciation of architecture, and how it relates to its environment.
Paul Violett
Architect
Emily is passionate about working collaboratively to realise joyful outcomes, particularly within the context of residential and cultural architecture. Her pursuits outside of the office keep her up to date with the industry, working as a seasonal design tutor at local Universities and holding a continued interest in landscape architecture, joinery and cabinetmaking. Growing up on North Stradbroke Island in a house constructed by her family, and with a father who is a cabinetmaker, Emily’s practice is informed by a strong personal relationship to design and a connection to the surrounding built environment. This is complemented by the rich experience she has gained at practices throughout Brisbane and the Gold Coast - including Arcke and Vokes & Peters - in roles that saw her working on projects across a range of sectors. Emily undertook her architectural studies at Griffith University, University of Queensland and European Institute of Design in Rome.
Graduate of Architecture
Emily Patterson
Coming from an architectural lineage, Bianca initially chose a different creative path and completed a Bachelors degree of Film and Media Productions at the Queensland College of Art. Bianca realised her passion for design and problem solving was in architecture, and completed her Bachelors at QUT. Currently Bianca is studying to finish her Masters of Architecture at QUT this year. Bianca joined KIN in 2021 as a student of Architecture. Her interest in interiors and eagerness to learn make her a valuable member of the KIN team. We particularly appreciate that she has her finger on the pulse of every new bar or restaurant opening in Brisbane or the Gold Coast!
Graduate of Architecture
Bianca Meredith
Elena recently completed her Masters of Corporate Architecture from TH Köln University in Cologne, Germany. She has gained experience on a variety of bespoke residential and workplace projects in Australia and Germany. Elena recently won a workplace design competition at TH Köln University. Elena joined KIN in 2018 and is a great asset to the team. Along with an interest in interiors and documentation, Elena also has strong 3D visualisation skills, which assist us communicating our ideas to clients during the design process. As a committee member of the Emerging Architects and Graduates Network, Elena is active in the architectural community, assisting with organising talks and events for young architects.
Elena Ihl
Graduate of Architecture
