Innovative structures designed in Brisbane are joining the architectural fabric of some of the world’s most stylish cities.

From humble beginnings in Toowoomba in 1926, BVN has grown to become one of Australia’s biggest and well known architectural firms and major goal-kickers in the international arena.

BVN is responsible for the intriguing designs of the Beijing Olympic Tennis Centre, Vietnam’s Stadium of Hanoi and the Venice Football Stadium.

BVN principal Shane Thompson (pictured) said their latest project, one of the company’s largest, is the athlete’s village for the London Olympics in 2012.

‘‘Our involvement (with a project) starts when it’s announced . . . (and continues) right through the whole project,’’ he said.

‘‘Generally we work with local firms overseas like we did with projects in Italy, New Zealand, China and Vancouver but we try and do as much as we can in Australia.

‘‘So in terms of Olympic Village we have people in London and people working in Brisbane and Sydney.’’

After the 2012 Olympics finish, the village will be converted from a ‘‘massive hotel’’ into the hub of a new suburb, driving the revitalisation of London’s eastern suburbs.

To meet the requirements of the athletes, apartments will be partially built and then completed fit for families to move in.

Responsible for local projects like Sydney’s Stadium Australia and Brisbane’s King George Square inner-northern Busway station, Mater Mothers’ Hospital and the Hyatt Coolum, some of their most cutting edge designs are found abroad.

‘‘A lot of the projects we work on overseas are high profile, huge projects with international attention and tend to be seen as a reflection of the city’s position in the world,’’ he said.

‘‘For example the Beijing Tennis Centre was a great source of pride to the Chinese.

‘‘They have a tradition in Europe of making a statement with their architecture so it has to be of very high quality.’’

Formerly Bligh Voller Nield, it has offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, employing more than 275 people.