Innovation wins at 2019 Australian Interior Design Awards

BVN are thrilled to announce two projects were awarded the category winners of Workplace Design and Interior Design Impact at the 2019 Australian Interior Design Awards (AIDA) held in Melbourne on Friday 31 May.

The Australian Interior Design Awards recognise and celebrate interior design excellence via a credible, industry-based program, which is backed by the Design Institute of Australia, the professional body representing Australian designers.

Workplace Design Award

BVN’s own Sydney Studio received the Workplace Design award for its agile and future-focused design.

The refurbishment of the 1800m² space represents a move from a traditionally structured workplace to one that is completely flexible, giving teams and individuals the agency to self-organise based on how they want to work.

To deliver flexibility to teams that rely on high-speed data, the designers invented a system by which power and data is delivered across the floorplate via a retractable cable called the Data Boom that is fixed to the ceiling soffit. A dedicated workshop area and VR space were also introduced.

The jury commented that the project “exhibits powerful thinking and offers a genuine attempt to remake the office environment to suit BVN Sydney Studio’s creative workflow. Everything is transparent and this means the creative process is exposed and on show, encouraging collaboration and experimentation.”

This marks the third time that BVN have won the Workplace Design category at AIDA, with Frasers Property Australia’s head office in Rhodes winning in 2017 and The Customer Experience Company winning in 2018.

Interior Design Impact Award

BVNs other award from AIDA was given to Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School in North Strathfield. The school received the prestigious Interior Design Impact award for its Stage 1 design from 2016 that involved the refurbishment of the ground floor of a dilapidated 1970’s former Telstra training centre to create a light, engaging and inspiring place of learning.

“Through planning and the removal of the majority of existing walls, the interior is visually and physically connected to its suburban environment, activating the streetscape and contributing positively to the wider community. However, the transformation goes deeper. The exploration of interior planning, materials, movement and the subsequent impact on pedagogy and wellbeing is evident and has resulted in positive benefits to students, staff, parents and the community,” commented the jury.

As part of the judging process for the Interior Design Impact Award, the jury visited the school to conduct interviews with users including students, staff and the school Principal.

The impact was evident though how students consistently referred to the interiors as “our” space, and encouraged all day learning through a flexible design that gives agency to users. “It’s very rewarding to have a user group speak so well of the project impact,” said BVN Principal Bill Dowzer.