One of Australia’s leading “socially responsible builders” has a new home after BVN, one of the country’s most prolific architectural practices, used “intelligent design” to convert a large shed into Intermain’s new Sydney offices. However, the offices’ standout features are the two-storey timber ‘pods’ placed across the factory floor – housing meeting rooms, workshops, a sample library, a joinery design studio and a tool shed.
“We took a non-sense approach to sustainability. The Timber pods are clad in reused plywood sheets, otherwise destined for landfill. (Whilst) the reception counter is laminated from a series of damaged boards…(and) the kitchen bench sits upon cleaned-up packing crates.”
Bill Dowzer, architect for BVN, who nominated for the 2024 Australian Timber Design Awards, Interior Fitout – Residential Class 1 and Interior Fitout – Commercial Building categories.
Designed to meet challenging fire regulations, the offices combine timber, concrete, and cork, chosen for insulative and acoustic functionality and aesthetics. Meanwhile, timber-framed partitions and joinery can be easily disassembled and reassembled for reuse or repurposing down the track.
“Collaborating with a powerhouse such as BVN on our head office project in Alexandria, Sydney, was a pleasure,” according to Andrew Johnson, CEO and Managing Director of Intermain – one of Australia’s leading interior fit-out and refurbishment companies. “We couldn’t have asked for more! BVN’s visionary design and collaborative approach worked seamlessly with our construction and project teams to realise a remarkable head office.”
Applications for the Australian Timber Design Awards are open.
Last month, Wood Central revealed that applications are now open for the 2025 Australian Timber Design Awards. Established in 2000, the competition promotes and encourages outstanding timber design in the built environment.
“The competition is open to builders, designers, architects, engineers, landscape designers and anyone else involved in designing or building structures that feature timber,” said Andrew Dunn, CEO of the Timber Development Association, who said nominations for this year’s awards close June 12: “To recognise rising stars, a separate section is available to students and entrants aged 30 or under.”
