i2C Architects has revealed the design for BMD Group’s headquarters in southeast Queensland’s Bayside suburb of Wynnum.
The result is a vibrant home and future for BMD HQ, that actively connects with, and support the local area, providing a central location where both the community and the BMD team can redefine themselves and thrive.
Passionate about supporting the community and building strong local relationships, BMD aims to serve as a catalyst of growth for the coastal suburb by providing a central location where both the community and the BMD team can thrive.
Bringing this vision to life, i2C Architects delved into and reviewed BMD’s current business needs, while also providing visioning for future flexibility, considering what workplaces may require and how this will work, and allowance for their predicted business growth.
The ground floor will expand onto and connect with the prominent ‘Bay Terrace’ (Wynnum’s High Street) to deliver the mixed-use concept of the design, with a dedicated retail space including offerings such as cafes, boutiques and end of trip facilities; the five floors above will be used as BMD offices.
i2C Architects and BMD were passionate about ensuring the design connects to both Country and place of region, while paying homage to the history of the site.
i2C Architects senior associate Katie Rankine said the design draws inspiration from the beautiful natural context and ecological connections along the Wynnum foreshore and Moreton Bay.
Rankine said: “The site has the most amazing visual connections to Moreton Bay and its islands.
“It was imperative to infiltrate and open these into the BMD office levels.
“The changing colours and vistas of this stunning area will consistently be an extension to the office and its occupants.
“Prior to being settled, Wynnum was traditionally known as Winnam (the original name for the pandanus fruit), which we respectfully reference through the pandanus tree and beach, and the Wynnum mangrove boardwalk.
“Through infiltrated battens and perforated materials, we will allow the abundant natural light to filter through into the spaces, changing the light and experience throughout the day to provide protection from the sun, while also ensuring the flora and fauna of the region are extended inwards and outwards to connect users to the beautiful location.
“The colour and material palette reflects the natural earthy tones of the region to really ground it to place.”
i2C Architects’ vision was to explore the volumetric geometries of the existing Wynnum Baptist Church onsite, which is being relocated to Iona College, and how it proportionally integrates and features on the prominent Bay Terrace streetscape.
Rankine added: “The design itself doesn’t focus so much on the look and feel of the outside of the church, but more so the volumetric experience of the church space internally – visitors can walk in and look up and feel the spaciousness and the calmness.”
Acknowledging the Quandamooka People as the Traditional Custodians of the land, BMD has an internal Indigenous Leader representative and plans to engage a Quandamooka consultant to assist in further design elements and their connections to land, sea, and community.
i2C Architects will also develop the interior design concept for BMD’s office to ensure the fit-out responds to the architecture and broader vision, to create a dynamic workplace that promotes connection and collaboration for their team.
BMD chief executive Scott Power said it was important for the family-owned business to return to its Bayside roots, where BMD was founded more than 40 years ago.
Power said: “We chose the Wynnum community for our headquarters as we have a lot of history in the area and are excited for its future growth and opportunities.
“We look forward to continuing supporting and investing in the community, building on our long-term relationships and establishing new connections.”