27.01.1962 – 30.04.2024        

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Annamaria di Cara on 30th April, 2024 aged 62 after a long battle with cancer.

Annamaria’s career began as an architectural and interior designer in the field of heritage and conservation architecture and urban planning. In 1994 she established Studio DC Disegno Colori, a consultancy service specialising in bespoke colour and design solutions for urban spaces, architecture, architectural heritage, interior design and corporate identity. She was also a magnificent teacher and served as a Sessional Lecturer and Tutor in Colour Theory and Design, Architectural and Design History and Restoration Studies, in Interior Design course programs at TAFE Sydney Institute, Enmore Design Centre from 2000 to 2018.

In 2010 Annamaria’s contributions were formally recognised by the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) with the award of a 10-year Citation for her career achievements, and in 2013 she was awarded the recognition of Fellow Member of the DIA.

Annamaria was the heart and soul of the Colour Society of Australia (CSA) from the time she became a member in 1993, soon joining the NSW Division Committee and then serving in various roles including Chair of NSW Division (1999-2001) and National President (2001-2005). Annamaria attended many CSA national conferences and nine International Colour Association (AIC) conferences and served on the Organising Committee for the 1999 CSA Biennial Conference "Colour Interaction", the 2009 AIC Congress in Sydney and the 2021 CSA online conference "Colour Connections".

Locally she also gave numerous presentations for the NSW Division including most recently "Azulejo Tiles of Portugal" and "Colour Education for Architecture and Interior Design in the 21st Century" (2018), and "Unlocking the Structure of Colour" (2019).          

In 2009 Annamaria was recognised as an Honorary Member of the CSA and she continued to serve until recently on the national and NSW Division committees in roles including Education Officer and AIC Representative.

We send our deepest condolences to her husband Joaquim Marcelino Santos and her family.

Eva Fay FDIA