BVN is one of Australia’s largest architecture practices, with studios in Sydney, Brisbane, New York and London.

History

The firm was founded in Brisbane in 1926 by Arthur Bligh, with Colin Jessup joining him later as a partner. After the Second World War, Athol Bretnall and Ronald Voller joined the partnership, leading to its name being changed to Bligh, Jessup, Bretnall and Partners. Arthur Bligh's son Graham entered the partnership in 1965, followed by Ronald Voller's son Jon.[citation needed]

The firm was renamed Bligh Voller Architects in the early 1990s. In the late 1990s (1997 to 1999), the firm became Bligh Voller Nield, through mergers with Sydney-based firm Lawrence Nield and Partners Australia, Grose Bradley and Melbourne-based firm Pels Innes Neilson and Kosloff.[citation needed]

Bligh Voller Nield became BVN Architecture in 2009 and merged with Donovan Hill in 2013 to form BVN Donovan Hill. In 2014 the practice transitioned to the name BVN.[citation needed]

BVN is a large architectural firm, employing over 300 staff. Its portfolio includes projects such as airports, commercial and public buildings. Beyond its work in Australia, it has also designed facilities for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and 2012 London Olympic Games.

Notable projects

The Australian PlantBank
Taronga Zoo
Ravenswood School for Girls
ASB New Zealand
Translational Research Institute (In Association with Wilson Architects)
BVN Brisbane Studio
The Kinghorn Cancer Centre
Regional Terminal at Christchurch Airport

BVN has designed numerous award-winning buildings, including the following projects:

CompletedProject nameLocationAwardNotes
2000Sydney Olympic Park Tennis CentreSir John Sulman Medal, 2000
2003University of Technology Sydney, City Campus, Building 10Broadway, SydneySir John Sulman Medal, 2003
200636/37 Squadron Headquarters, RAAFSir John Sulman Medal, 2006
2014Australian PlantBankAustralian Botanic Garden, Mount AnnanWAF High Commendation Research BuildingsRAIA National Award for Sustainable ArchitectureRAIA National Award for Public Architecture
2012Taronga ZooMosman, SydneyRAIA Urban Design AwardPIA Australia Award for Urban Design Small Scale Commendation
2012Ravenswood School for Girls, Mabel Fidler BuildingGordon, SydneyThink Brick Landscape AwardRAIA Public Building AwardsRAIA NSW Sir John Sulman Medal for Public ArchitectureMBA NSW Private School Construction AwardATFA Factory Finished Floor of the Year Award for ExcellenceASI Large Projects Highly CommendedInternational Architecture Award (2013)Chicago Antheneum International Architecture Award (2013)AIDA Winner – Interior Design Impact (2015)
2014ASB North Wharfnew Wynyard Quarter, Auckland, New ZealandNZIA Architecture Award – Sustainable ArchitectureNZIA Architecture Award – Commercial ArchitectureNZIA Architecture Award – Interior ArchitectureNZIA Architecture MedalNew Zealand Commercial Project Awards – Gold AwardProperty Council New Zealand – merit in Resene Green Building Property AwardProperty Council New Zealand – Hays Commercial Office Property AwardSupreme Award – Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry AwardsRAIA Interior Architecture Award in the International categoryWAF High Commendation Office BuildingsIDEA High Commendation International category
2013Translational Research InstitutePrincess Alexandra Hospital, BrisbaneRAIA National Award for Interior ArchitectureRAIA National Award for Public ArchitectureRAIA QLD Sustainable Architecture CommendationRAIA QLD FDG Stanley Award for Best Public BuildingRAIA Brisbane Sustainable Architecture CommendationRAIA Brisbane John Dalton Award for Building of the YearIDA Public Design High CommendationIDA Best of State Commercial AwardTDA Best Northern Region Award for ExcellenceLighting Design Award of Excellence (IES Lighting Design Awards Qld Chapter)Luminaire Design: Commendation (IES Lighting Design Awards Qld Chapter)
2014Christchurch Airport, Regional TerminalChristchurch, New ZealandNZIA Architecture Award – Commercial ArchitectureNZIA Architecture Award – Interior ArchitectureShortlisted International Aviation AwardIDEA International Award
2015BVN Brisbane StudioBrisbane, QueenslandRAIA Brisbane Regional Commendation – Interior Architecture (2015)AIDA Best of State QLD – Commercial Design (2015)
2013The Kinghorn Cancer CentreDarlinghurst, SydneyRAIA NSW John Verge Award for Interior Architecture (2013)Chicago Antheneum International Architecture AwardWAF High Commendation – Health
2012Puckapunyal Military Area Memorial ChapelChicago Athenaeum International Architecture Award (2012)
2010Brain and Mind Research InstituteUniversity of Sydney, SydneyRAIA NSW Sir John Sulman Medal (2011)RIBA International Award for Architectural Excellence (2011)International Health Design Award High Commendation (2011)World Architecture Festival – World Health Building (2010)Chicago Antheneum International Architecture Award (2012)
Robina Hospital ExtensionGold Coast, QueenslandRAIA Gold Coast and Northern Rivers Regional Commendation and Building of the Year (2012)AbaF Arts and Health Foundation Award (2011)WAN Awards – Winner Interior Design Healthcare (2011)
2008Stockland Head OfficeSydneyRAIA NSW Milo Dunphy Award for Sustainable Architecture (2008)

Employment Data

Metric2014201520162017201820192020202120222023
Female Employees (as a % of total)43.747.647.347.246.9-49.1--48.3
Male Employees (as a % of total)56.352.452.752.853.1-50.9--51.7

See also

External links