Wurundjeri and Bunurong Peoples
Victoria
BVIA on Bank is a commercial building with an interest in narrative and contextual impact. Sitting alongside the historical ES&A Bank, it was conceived as a companion building that amplifies rather than overshadows its heritage context. Commissioned by sheBuilt, a female-led development company, the project reflects a commitment to supporting women in construction. The project revitalises Clarendon Street’s south end, drawing people back with independent retail at ground level and flexible office spaces above.
The façade, is treated like a textile, with stitching and layering shaping its composition. Materiality and detailing tie the project to its site – copper accents and deep green tones nod to the area’s history, while precast panels by artist Elliat Rich reference cobbler’s shoe lasts, embedding a personal narrative.
We felt a responsibility for the project to embed traces of place and memory that might otherwise be forgotten
BVIA on BANK is a deeply personal project honouring my family’s 60+ year connection to South Melbourne. Having grown up here, I sought to create something exceptional, celebrating the area’s rich heritage while giving back to the precinct. My vision was to design a glamorous and elegant building, preserving the past while serving the needs of the present. Equally important was championing women in the built environment, a priority reflected in the predominantly female-led team behind this landmark. This development blends my family’s legacy, the precinct’s history, and a commitment to empowering women, creating a future building of historical significance.
Nic Agius, Design Architect
Claire Scorpo, Design Architect
George Mollett, Project Architect
Edwina Brisbane, Project Architect
Hansen Partnership, Town Planner
Matter Consulting, Structural Engineer
Stantec, Services Consultant
Floreancig Smith Building Surveyors, Building Surveyor
Elliat Rich, Artist
Jack Merlo, Landscape Consultant
Ark Resources, ESD Consultant
Urban Leaf, ESD Consultant
Gallagher Jeffs, Project Manager
GJM Heritage, Heritage Consultant
sheBuilt, Developer
Acoustic Logic, Acoustic Consultant
Inhabit, Facade Engineer