The Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) awarded BVN the 2019 Best in Practice Prize NSW at their End of Year Prize night on Friday 22 November. Also honoured was BVN Principal and soon to be NSW Government Architect Abbie Galvin with the 2019 Marion Mahoney Griffin Prize.
Each win demonstrates BVN and its people's work extending beyond the walls of the practice and making a meaningful impact to the wider profession. By addressing industry issues such as gender equality and long hours, BVN were commended by the AIA jury for "their progressive approach to all aspects of workplace culture."
The Best in Practice Prize jury noted, "BVN recognises that a diverse and inclusive environment supports engagement, empowerment, and performance… There is a clear understanding that cultural change must be led from the top, and, where possible, policies and benefits are open to all staff, junior and senior. These include access to research time, flexible work, parental leave and profit sharing."
This culture, one that nurtures collective creativity, inclusion and diversity, and importantly supporting women in senior architectural positions, has been the catalyst to produce exemplary architects of the likes of Abbie Galvin.
Cited by the jury as "An architect for her generation", Abbie Galvin has been a Principal of BVN for 23 years and was recently appointed first female Government Architect of NSW since the position was created 200 years ago. The bestowment of the Marion Mahoney Griffin Prize celebrates Abbie's accomplishments as a female architect and commitment to design that positively affects daily life.
"Without doubt Abbie will continue to champion a public domain and architecture that breathes an authenticity and integrity, positively affecting the daily life of our state," said the jury.
BVN is rich in diverse ideas and perspectives. Diversity is "demonstrated through the active inclusion of older staff, Indigenous staff, and gender and cultural mixes through all levels of the studio. There are currently 30 nationalities within the practice, including leaders for whom English is a second language," said the jury.
The jury noted, "BVN has a reputation for maintaining high ratios of female leadership. Four of the ten (equally paid) principals are women." Of these four, one is Co-CEO of the practice.
As a direct response to the often demanding hours in the industry, BVN's flexibility policies and tech solutions support remote working for employee wellbeing and work/life balance. These policies "Reduce the guilt and stigma that is too often associated with flexible and part-time work by providing transparency and promoting a 'redistributed hours' approach," said the jury.
20% of the Sydney studio are now on formal flex arrangements (with part of that figure represented by senior management), while the entire studio utilises informal flex on a daily basis.
Careers are nurtured through a vibrant program of events (in house salons with organisations such as Parlour, Tech and Design Talks, CPD talks), learning and development opportunities such as practice-wide workshops with leadership consultants and sponsorship of the architectural registration process.
A culture of research and experimentation is integrated into the practice through collaborations that explore alternative construction methods and experimentation with robotic fabrication.
The jury noted "BVN actively explores future possibilities through research work that is integrated into the life and structures of the firm, conducted in partnership with universities and other institutions."
Brian Clohessy, Head of People and Character at BVN said "It is imperative that as an industry, it is understood that we can only deliver a quality built environment by ensuring that talented people are attracted to and stay in the industry. Providing an engaging and supportive workplace and culture is at the core of what we do."
