BVN WINS FIFTH PRIZE FOR BRAIN MIND RESEARCH INSTITUTE

BVN received a Public Architecture National Commendation at the National Architecture Awards on 3 November for the Brain Mind Research Institute (BMRI) Youth Mental Health Building.

According to the jury the BMRI ‘delivers an impressive and gutsy street elevation that serves as a perfect reflection of its client’s ambitions to be an alternative institutional health building.’

They noted how the design was constrained by an existing heritage façade that had to be retained however they commented that ‘this constraint has only benefited the project’s final form, creating a provocative and mannered solution that addresses the street with originality and character.’

In the last twelve months BVN has received five major prizes for BMRI, starting with the World Architecture Festival award for Best Health Building in the World that was judged in Barcelona in November last year.

 Earlier this year it received the top award in NSW for a public building, the prestigious Sir John Sulman medal, when the jury said the BMRI building succeeds in ‘uniting patients, carers, clinicians, and scientists… in a refreshingly engaging off-campus facility.’ 

In late July BMRI was given a Highly Commended International Health Design Award at the Design and Health International Academy Awards in Boston, USA.

Then in October the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) presented an International Award to BVN for BMRI, making it the only Australian project commended in these globally respected awards.

James Grose, BVN National Director said, ‘this building was designed to take into account many diverse requirements and constraints, it had to provide a human scaled and tactile environment for mental health patients on one hand and  address an inner-city streetscape that combines residences and the remnants of the industrial character of Camperdown on the other’.

The BMRI is part of the Faculty of Medicine of The University of Sydney focused on research into mental health and clinical issues relating to the brain.  The Youth Mental Health Building consists of two floors of consulting and patient interaction and two floors of research laboratories. 
 
The challenge was fitting this new facility into a group of existing buildings - the result is a design that is integrated into the streetscape with a translucent glass box sitting on top of an existing facade making a rich and interesting contribution to the neighbourhood.
 
Mr Grose commended his clients, particularly Prof Ian Hickie and Dr Max Bennett for their support through the creative and design process of this highly acclaimed project.