BVN Architecture, one of Australia's largest architectural practices with offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, won the Health Category award at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) this evening (Wednesday 3 November) in Barcelona for the Youth Mental Health Building at the Brain and Mind Research Institute (BMRI) in Camperdown, Sydney.

BVN National Director James Grose said, 'this building was designed to take into account many diverse requirements and constraints, it had to provide a human scaled and tactile environment for mental health patients on one hand and address an inner-city streetscape that combines residences and the remnants of the industrial character of Camperdown on the other'.

The jury recognised the sophisticated intervention that addresses these various requirements, by giving it the Health award over other entrants from around the world, including a hospital in the UK by Norman Foster and Partners.

The BMRI is part of the Faculty of Medicine of The University of Sydney focussed on research into mental health and clinical issues relating to the brain.

The Youth Mental Health Building consists of two floors of consulting and patient interaction and two floors of research laboratories.

The challenge was fitting this new facility into a group of existing buildings - the result is a design that is integrated into the streetscape with a translucent glass box sitting on top of an existing facade making a rich and interesting contribution to the neighbourhood.

Mr Grose commended his clients, particularly Prof Ian Hickie and Dr Max Bennett for their support through the creative and design process of this now world acclaimed project.

'This World Architecture Festival award is a tremendous confidence booster for Australian architects,' he said.

´For some time now Australian architecture has been defined on the world stage by its derivation from the unique landscape. As urban projects become more prominent, Australian design is incrementally making our cities equal to anywhere in the world,' said Mr Grose.