Smart Design Studio was commissioned to transform three levels of east facing suites within BMA House on Macquarie Street, which enjoys outlooks over the Botanic Gardens and Sydney Harbour beyond. BMA House is a beautifully detailed and constructed building with intricate decoration and gargoyle displays over the tiled façade. When completed the building won the (UK) RIBA Award for Street Architecture in 1935 and the (UK) RIBA Bronze Medal, a first for Australia at the time. Within this unique heritage context, SDS together with the client, sought to provide a simple but elegant refurbishment.
Expand ContentThe design was carefully considered to allow the heritage nature of this suite enhance the use and environmental qualities whilst providing a well-appointed modern medical facility. Natural light plays a strong part in the overall design and considerations for the existing bay windows on the Macquarie Street façade and was an important feature of the design. These beautiful steel framed window bays are one of the main focal points as you enter the suite through the original glass framed French doors. An original brass winder system to operate the steel windows was carefully restored to reinstate this simple but ingenious piece of early 20th Century engineering.
Suites on level one are spread across five structural bays with the open reception area occupying the central three bays. The reception area with original timber joinery bookending the northern and southern walls provides services and access to four specialist consulting rooms.
In-built joinery pieces adopt different aesthetics on different levels. Mirror-gloss finished credenzas bookend the central classroom to provide AV XX to the room along with air conditioning.
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