Dramatic changes in the way we view software and information systems have occurred during the past 20 years. Manual techniques have been replaced by data dictionary products which are in turn being replaced by computer aided software engineering (CASE) or integrated project support environment (IPSE) systems. A research and teaching metadata repository system, RIPPLE, is presented. RIPPLE represents and manages a flexible and extensible internal conceptual model. This conceptual model is derived by a synthesis of common concepts from a variety of design methods. A layered structure is formed by successive abstractions of the concepts and structures derived by that synthesis. This layered structure provides a powerful metaphor for implementation of both the RIPPLE repository and design method repository support. Design methods can be defined in terms of this model. Tools to aid the configuration of RIPPLE to support a wide variety of methods are also presented. Once configured, RIPPLE can provide repository support to tools implementing these methods. Support for information sharing, tool interaction mediation and other important repository features is also provided.