Griffith man designs first maths museum in Southern Hemisphere

Griffith born and raised businessman Dane Power designed the first maths museum in the Southern Hemisphere, which opened in Queensland in 2023.

The Mathema Gallery was established by mathematicians and partners Dr Calvin and Rosemary Irons alongside a winery in Ocean View, a rural locality in Moreton Bay.

It’s been profiled extensively on media since then, including on TV shows My Way and Weekender.

“I got the opportunity to do this project through the builder, who I’d met through previous work in Brisbane,” Mr Power said.

“We were one of three people put forward for the project; we pitched for the job, and they chose us. We were really happy as we liked Cal and Rosemary and loved the idea of working with them.”

The educational gallery chronicles the history and art of maths through various cultures and civilisations, including the Incas and Egyptians. It includes an expansive historical library and interactive games to help people learn.

The 43-year-old building designer said the project was a challenge.

“The floor plan had geometry in it, and everything had to be designed proportionally, in a mathematical way,” he said.

“It was an interesting brief; the only museum similar in design to this in the world is in Malta. That had domes and a Mediterranean feel to it, and we were creating something in the hinterlands in the green bushlands of Queensland. So, we had to fit it in with the different setting. We enjoyed the challenge this brought us.”

There are specialist maths museums in New York, Paris and London, but Queensland’s Mathema Gallery is the first of its type in any country south of the equator.

Mr Power went to Wade High School, where he got his first taste of his future career.

“I did my Year 10 work experience in drafting at A&G Engineering in Griffith. I moved to Canberra after school, where I studied industrial design, then came back to work with my Dad on the farm, then returned to do drafting at the Canberra Institute of Technology.

After marrying childhood sweetheart Rebecca, the couple moved to Brisbane in 2006, where they established the award-winning business Koda Design three years later.

Dane said he was often asked if he was an architect.

“I get asked the difference between a building designer and an architect every week. We employ architects but we trade as building designers. Architecture is a degree and building design is a diploma; I would say architects do extra units in project management and contract administration, the business side.”

Mum Colleen Power, who has also moved from Griffith to Brisbane, is not surprised by Dane’s success.

“When he was growing up, Dane always said he wanted to go out onto building sites, do hands-on work and design things. I’m so proud of him,” she said.

Dane said he’d never forgotten his roots.

“Even though we’re based in Brisbane, we have loved the opportunities to do work designing buildings in the Griffith and Leeton area.

“We have so many good memories of Griffith; we always enjoy it when we visit.”