This week we look back to 1989 when Bligh Robinson Architects won the Award for Meritorious Architecture – RAIA for the Golden Casket Building in Wooloongabba, Brisbane, and a commendation for its interiors. This building was designed as two halves of the one complex. One half accommodates a high-security bomb proof computer centre. The other part, the white pavilion-like building on circular columns, accommodates the administration office spaces. Dividing one from the other is the dramatic atrium that drives its wedge-shaped form between these two halves, man and machine.
For Bligh Robinson Interiors, the extension of the atrium space into the office areas was a natural progression. The interior spaces of this building evolved from a desire to create a stimulating work environment. Daylight filters into the office space, providing an openness that contrasts dramatically with the secure nature of the computer building. This aspect sets the tone for the office areas. Furniture was specially designed by Bligh Robinson Interiors with gently curving lines, to break from the harshness of the computer building. Quiet background colours on the walls with primary colours accentuated on columns, stairs and walls, make the reception areas visually exciting and inviting.
Article from the Weekend Australian – July 15-16, 1989 p72.
“Bligh Robinson also won the non-residential category with their adventurous design for the Golden Casket Building at Wooloongabba. The category is devoted to buildings for government institutions, education and professional societies and companies. Bligh Robinson were about to incorporate the special security requirements of this building into a stylishly modern complex”, Mr Keniger said”. In the interiors category, Bligh Robinson won a commendation for the “historically modern” nature of their interior Fitout of the Golden Casket Building.
Mr Keniger said the jury praised the building’s interior architecture- especially for the dramatic circular skylight above the round boardroom table and the attention to fine detail.”
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