The British Council for Offices (BCO) has announced the winners of its National Awards, celebrating the UK’s most outstanding workplaces. The awards recognise excellence in office design, fit-out, operation, community engagement, and sustainability. This year, the life sciences TTP Campus in Cambridgeshire claimed both the Best of the Best and Corporate Workplace awards for its innovative, collaborative, and environmentally conscious design.
Held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London, the annual awards ceremony attracted over 1,200 industry professionals. The event, featuring guest speaker Clare Balding, highlighted the importance of workspaces that not only enhance productivity but also contribute positively to the surrounding community. A new Customer Experience Award was also introduced, which will be part of the BCO National Awards from 2025 onwards.
Winners of the BCO National Awards 2024:
- Best of the Best & Corporate Workplace: TTP Campus, Cambridgeshire
- Highly Commended: Grainhouse, London
- Commercial Workplace: 1 New Park Square, Edinburgh
- Highly Commended: 8 Bishopsgate, London; EQ, Bristol
- Fit-Out of Workplace: Osborne Clarke by Interaction, Bristol
- Highly Commended: BP London
- Projects up to 2,500m²: Statkraft, The Garment Factory, Glasgow
- Refurbished/Recycled Workplace: Tower Hamlets Town Hall, London
- Innovation: The Forge, London
- ESG: One Strawberry Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne
- Test of Time: Deloitte HQ, 1 New Street Square, London
TTP Campus impressed judges with its open-plan layout and collaboration-friendly design. The campus consists of three key areas: The Hive, The Exchange, and The Tech Barn, with features that encourage cross-disciplinary innovation. Judges commended the site’s biodiversity initiatives, including wildlife ponds and wildflower meadows.
1 New Park Square, Edinburgh, which won the Commercial Workplace award, played a significant role in revitalizing its business park area. Its design includes sustainable features like mixed-mode ventilation and a new bakery, bar, and sports facilities. Judges praised the development for enhancing public spaces and connectivity within the region.
In Bristol, Osborne Clarke’s office won the Fit-Out of Workplace award. The space integrates sustainability with a cradle-to-cradle approach, photovoltaic panels, and greywater recycling. Its interiors are adorned with greenery and local art, creating a vibrant environment for employees.
Statkraft’s Garment Factory office in Glasgow earned the award for Projects up to 2,500m², with its sensitive restoration of a heritage building. Judges highlighted the user-friendly design that maintained the building’s character while incorporating sustainable materials.
Tower Hamlets Town Hall in London, recognised as the best Refurbished/Recycled Workplace, showcased how a restored building can positively impact the surrounding community. Its blend of old and new architectural elements provides a welcoming environment for both the public and employees.
The Innovation Award went to The Forge in London, which champions new methods of construction through design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA). The project sets a benchmark for sustainability, with renewable energy powering the building and a focus on reducing waste. This project also won BCO’s Regional Awards for best London workplaces 6 months ago.
Newcastle’s One Strawberry Lane won the ESG Award for its community-centric design, featuring public meeting spaces and significant investment in local businesses. The building’s carbon footprint was monitored throughout its construction, ensuring a sustainable lifecycle.
Finally, Deloitte’s HQ at 1 New Street Square in London took home the Test of Time Award, recognised for its flexibility and adaptability. Following the pandemic, the space was reimagined with nature-inspired design elements and flexible workspaces, reflecting Deloitte’s evolving needs.
Industry Leaders Comment
Peter Crowther, President of the BCO and Partner at HERE, said: “The winners of this year’s BCO Awards highlight the need for offices to not only provide the most efficient and productive working environments but to also contribute to their surrounding cities and communities.”
Gold sponsors of the 2024 BCO Awards include AECOM and Troup Bywaters + Anders, with Quantem as the Silver sponsor.
About the BCO The British Council for Offices (BCO) promotes best practices in the office sector through research, discussion, and collaboration among industry professionals. Established in 1990, it remains the leading forum for issues related to office spaces in the UK.
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