About Us
Desypher is a Melbourne-based design office that believes in the medium of architecture as a stimulus to building cohesion within communities.
Our willingness to explore integrated opportunities that stem from environmental, economic, and social contexts is our main point of difference.
Our aim is to promote understanding and foster relationship-building through place-making.
All our projects end up being very much rooted in context and yet expressed in unapologetically modern terms.
Our experience extends over a wide range of projects including residential, civic, institutional, cultural, community-based, recreational, and educational facilities.
By utilising synchronised communication and enhanced project management tools to supplement regular face-to-face meetings, Desypher can deliver the highest level of service to clients no matter where the project is located.
The word “Desypher” has its origins in the Arabic “sifir”, meaning zero.
The use of “zero” advanced by Muslim mathematicians, had a tremendous impact in unravelling mathematical concepts and furthering scientific discoveries.
When first introduced into medieval Europe it was regarded as an abstract, unclear notion – even with a level of suspicion! And so “sifir” or “cipher” came to mean something coded and obscure and paradoxically “decipher” meant to unravel the code.
And so, we took on the blended title, “desypher”, as a declaration; to invite experiences beyond the obvious and to make apparent what is misunderstood by creating architectural responses that promote positive interaction.
Issam Nabulsi – Principal
Likes the quote “Everyone hears according to their own understanding” – Rumi
Issam earnt his “pen license” under reputable architects, Andrew Kings (Melbourne) and Rasem Badran (Amman) establishing the practice in 1993. He has since developed Desypher with a specific interest in projects that demonstrate wider community and cultural benefits.
In addition to being a father of five, Issam is always pushing the integration of permaculture principles in all projects. If he’s not at his desk, he’s potting around his garden where he can frequently be heard having existential conversations with his chooks!
The core component of our company philosophy is a commitment to the well-being of the community and a willingness to assist wherever possible.
This effort is manifested under the banner “Initiate 3:104” and looks to draw in other concerned businesses, organisations, and individuals by providing:
pro bono or heavily discounted architectural services to not-for-profit organisations for projects that have a demonstrable community benefit
Encouraging community-based clients to expand their design briefs to include wider community benefits that involve place-making
tapping into existing initiatives such as Emergency Architects Australia, Architects Without Frontiers, Architects Sans Frontieres
Currently, we are working on the YMA Markaz, a youth centre in the CBD of Dandenong, Melbourne, that reaches out to provides a host of life-enhancing activities and programs for youth and services to the homeless and the community at large.
Our previous efforts included the concept design of a Boarding School Orphanage in Indonesia and a Permaculture Institute in Mexico (both featured in our projects section).
Obviously, it helps to have a sponsor or patron!
Desypher is a Melbourne-based design office that believes in the medium of architecture as a stimulus to building cohesion within communities.
Our willingness to explore integrated opportunities that stem from environmental, economic, and social contexts is our main point of difference.
Our aim is to promote understanding and foster relationship-building through place-making.
All our projects end up being very much rooted in context and yet expressed in unapologetically modern terms.
Our experience extends over a wide range of projects including residential, civic, institutional, cultural, community-based, recreational, and educational facilities.
By utilising synchronised communication and enhanced project management tools to supplement regular face-to-face meetings, Desypher can deliver the highest level of service to clients no matter where the project is located.
The word “Desypher” has its origins in the Arabic “sifir”, meaning zero.
The use of “zero” advanced by Muslim mathematicians, had a tremendous impact in unravelling mathematical concepts and furthering scientific discoveries.
When first introduced into medieval Europe it was regarded as an abstract, unclear notion – even with a level of suspicion! And so “sifir” or “cipher” came to mean something coded and obscure and paradoxically “decipher” meant to unravel the code.
And so, we took on the blended title, “desypher”, as a declaration; to invite experiences beyond the obvious and to make apparent what is misunderstood by creating architectural responses that promote positive interaction.
Issam Nabulsi – Principal
Likes the quote “Everyone hears according to their own understanding” – Rumi
Issam earnt his “pen license” under reputable architects, Andrew Kings (Melbourne) and Rasem Badran (Amman) establishing the practice in 1993. He has since developed Desypher with a specific interest in projects that demonstrate wider community and cultural benefits.
In addition to being a father of five, Issam is always pushing the integration of permaculture principles in all projects. If he’s not at his desk, he’s potting around his garden where he can frequently be heard having existential conversations with his chooks!
The core component of our company philosophy is a commitment to the well-being of the community and a willingness to assist wherever possible.
This effort is manifested under the banner “Initiate 3:104” and looks to draw in other concerned businesses, organisations, and individuals by providing:
pro bono or heavily discounted architectural services to not-for-profit organisations for projects that have a demonstrable community benefit
Encouraging community-based clients to expand their design briefs to include wider community benefits that involve place-making
tapping into existing initiatives such as Emergency Architects Australia, Architects Without Frontiers, Architects Sans Frontieres
Currently, we are working on the YMA Markaz, a youth centre in the CBD of Dandenong, Melbourne, that reaches out to provides a host of life-enhancing activities and programs for youth and services to the homeless and the community at large.
Our previous efforts included the concept design of a Boarding School Orphanage in Indonesia and a Permaculture Institute in Mexico (both featured in our projects section).
Obviously, it helps to have a sponsor or patron!