BVN architecture: brain and mind research institute best health project at WAF 2010

‘brain and mind research institute’ by BVN architecture in camperdown, australia all images courtesy BVN architecture photographer: john gollings

sydney-based practice BVN architecture has won been awarded the best health project award at this year’s world architecture festival with their design of ‘brain and mind research institute’ in camperdown, australia. the building, which is a part of the university of sydney’s faculty of medicine, consists of two floors dedicated to research on the upper levels and two clinical floors below for consulting and patient interaction.

the jury commented, ‘we found this project by BVN architecture to be an outstanding piece of architecture in many ways – simplicity of design, response to site and brief, approach to external appearance and materials, and carefully considered internal spaces.’

industrial site

located in a light industrial area formerly known for clothing trades, the project’s facade was heritage listed and required retention while still lending a fresh face to the facility. a glass box was fitted on top of the two-storey facade to house the laboratories while the people-oriented spaces are accommodated within the older components. clad in translucent glass planks, the new box addition ensures diffused daylight to enter the labs throughout the day while being stepped forward enough to cast a shadow on the neighboring structures. the research sector connects to two adjoining buildings via an upper level bridge.

the materials chosen for the exterior aims to reflect the light industrial context of the site: steel, recycled timber, and face concrete block. the same palette and materials are reflected on the interior at a more tactile scale.

street elevation