BCO Awards UK Results, England, Scotland, 2012 Winners, Links, Architecture News

BCO Awards : British Council For Offices

British Council For Offices Prize : Winners – Buildings + Architects

4 Oct 2023

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Barclays’ Glasgow campus was celebrated as the Best of the Best at the British Council for Offices (BCO) National Awards last night, also taking home the prize for Corporate Workplace. Seven further winners were recognised as leading examples of excellence in workplace design in the UK:

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BCO Award Winners 2012

British Council For Offices Awards 2012 : Winners – Buildings + Architects

K&L GATES AT ONE NEW CHANGE NAMED BEST OFFICE OF 2012

Fusion of function and form scoops top prize at British Council for Offices National Awards

K&L Gates:

photos from BCO Awards

K&L Gates at One New Change, London, was named the ‘Best of the Best’ workplace in the country at the British Council for Offices’ (BCO) annual National Awards in London last night. K&L Gates was also named ‘Best Fit Out of Workplace’ in the UK, and topped a list of six other award winners recognised for excellence in office space.

• Best Commercial Workplace:
Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London
Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF)

photo © Adrian Welch
Heron Tower,110 Bishopsgate, London

• Best Corporate Workplace:
Greater Manchester Police Force Headquarters, Central Park, Northampton Road, Manchester
Aedas

picture from architect
Greater Manchester Police HQ

• Best Refurbished/Recycled Workplace:
Virgin Money, 28 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh

photo © Paul Zanre

• Best Fit Out of Workplace:
K&L Gates, One New Change, London
Ateliers Jean Nouvel with Sidell Gibson Architects

photo © Paul Riddle
One New Change

• Best Project up to 2,000m2:
Creative Scotland, Waverley Gate, 2-4 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh

image from architect

• Innovation Award:
7 More London Riverside, London
BDP

photo © David Barbour / BDP
7 More London Riverside

• Test of Time Award:
Fort Dunlop, Fort Parkway, Birmingham
shedkm

photo : Urban Splash
Fort Dunlop

K&L Gates’ fit-out of its One New Change office was singled out by judges for the boldness of the client in having the foresight to sign up early enough to integrate the fit out design team with the base build. This meant that they could design and complete the project during the main construction phase of the building, ensuring they created a workspace fit for purpose from the outset.

While throwing up a number of challenges, the finished fit-out married a functional and traditional cellular layout with an arresting aesthetic which centres on the stunning views of neighbouring St Paul’s. Testament to the success of the development has been the fact that the collaborative, stylish environment created has delivered tangible business benefits.

David Partridge, Joint Chief Executive of Argent and BCO Awards Chairman, commented: “K&L Gates has set an impressive example of the importance – and potential benefits – of keeping the ultimate end use of any project in mind as early as the base build. By getting involved at this stage, the occupier was able to adapt and influence a challenging building to deliver a highly effective fit-out, planned according to its own needs. The result is a consummately assured design which has had a positive effect on the business – showing the impact a successful new workplace can have on wider corporate objectives.”

Another notable winner at this year’s ceremony was Fort Dunlop in Birmingham, recipient of the ‘Test of Time’ Award. The ‘Test of Time’ Award, launched last year, is designed to recognise previous Award winners that have achieved the original objectives set for them, and displayed flexibility in being able to adapt to changing occupier needs over time.

Fort Dunlop, a previously neglected prominent landmark building, became a symbol of a regeneration failure in the outskirts of Birmingham before Urban Splash transformed the development into a mixed-use scheme comprising offices, shops and a hotel which still thrives today.

The site’s industrial past became a focus rather than a memory – in recognition of which Fort Dunlop was named ‘Best Refurbished/Recycled Workplace’ at the BCO Awards in 2008. All waste rubble was used to create new car parks, internal columns were used to divide up the vast space into small offices, and high ceilings were kept to compensate for narrow widths. To further boost the green credentials of the redevelopment, a sedum roof was installed and used to create a sense of community amongst the numerous occupiers successfully attracted and retained.

Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, said: “Against the context of another tough year for the UK economy, the office sector continues to demonstrate how it can deliver value beyond its core purpose. Businesses are increasingly reaping the benefits of workplaces that reinforce and reflect their corporate identity, improve efficiency in working practices, and boost staff morale.

“Every year we see innovation in design and technology – particularly to drive energy efficiency – embraced and then moved on even further. This year is no exception, which is all the more remarkable by the fact many were brought to fruition during the economic downturn. For this, every entrant is to be congratulated.”

The ceremony also saw BCO President and Deputy Chairman of the Wates Group, James Wates, recognise Gerald Ronson, CBE and Chief Executive for Heron International, for his outstanding six decades service to the commercial property industry.

For more information about the awards and the winners this year visit the BCO website (www.bco.org.uk).

About the BCO

• The British Council for Offices (BCO) is the UK’s leading member organisation representing the interests of all those who occupy, design, build, own or manage offices in the UK. Since inception in 1990, the BCO has provided thought leadership and best practice in all issues related to the creation and use of office space – through to its research, awards, conference and events programmes. www.bco.org.uk

• Forthcoming dates of note:
– BCO Awards 2013 Call for Entries (10 Oct – 30 Nov 2012)
– The Offices Summit 2012, in association with Estates Gazette (15 Nov 2012)
– BCO Intellibuild Conference (21 Nov 2012)
– Annual Conference, Madrid (15-17 May 2013)

• The National Awards judging panel includes: David Partridge – Argent (Chair), Peter Crowther – Bruntwood, Sara Fox – FOX&Co Consulting, Glenn Howells – Glenn Howells Architects, and Tim Robinson – Knight Frank.

• The lead sponsor for this year’s BCO Awards is ISG. Gold sponsors are Grontmij, hurleypalmerflatt, SAS International, Land Securities, Davis Langdon and Jackson Coles. Silver sponsors are Arup, Buro Four, Crest Nicholson, Foreman Roberts, mac-interiors, Mott MacDonald, Troup Bywaters + Anders. Bronze sponsors are: 5plus Architects, Brookfield and Couch Perry Wilkes. This year’s awards are in association with Estates Gazette.