BCO Awards 2023: Showcasing Superior Workplace Design in the UK
Introduction to BCO Awards
The British Council for Offices (BCO) has recently announced the winners of the prestigious 2023 BCO Awards. These awards are known for recognising and honouring exceptional office buildings across the UK.
Emphasising Wellbeing and Social Impact
This year, the winners have displayed an increased emphasis on wellbeing and a comprehensive approach to workplace design. The BCO has also underscored the significant role of workplaces in effecting positive social impact. This trend is evident in the rise of Real Estate Investments in London’s Properties, as businesses strive to create workplaces that enhance the wellbeing of their employees and the broader community. This trend towards wellbeing-centered design is also apparent in London’s exhibition spaces. You can learn more about this in the article London’s Signature Interior Design for Tradeshows: Engaging Exhibition Spaces.
BCO Awards Winners
The Corporate Workplace category and the overall Best of the Best award were scooped up by Barclays’ new Glasgow campus, designed by Halliday Fraser Munro and Gensler. This project embodies the BCO’s emphasis on creating positive social impact by transforming a derelict site into a bustling campus for both employees and the community. Other notable winners include One Portwall Square in Bristol, Diageo’s new global HQ in London and Threesixty Architecture’s studio in Inverness.
Workplace Design: Innovation and ESG
The BCO Awards also acknowledged innovation and commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in workplace design. Five Bank Street in London, designed by Perkins&Will for the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD), received the Innovation award. The HERE Building in Thames Valley Park, designed by HawkinsBrown, was granted the ESG prize for its carbon-minimising, data-led design.
Refurbished/Recycled Workplace and Test of Time Awards
The Refurbished/Recycled Workplace category saw Sycamore House, transformed from an underutilised storage shed into a modern office by Owers Warwick Architects, take the honours. The White Collar Factory in London by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, a past winner of the BCO’s National Innovation Award, was given the Test of Time award, showcasing its adaptability during and beyond the pandemic.
President’s Award: A Decade-long Transformation
The prestigious President’s Award was conferred upon HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) Locations Programme. This decade-long workplace restructuring and estate transformation has led to smarter working and a more supportive culture for 73,000 civil servants, whilst simultaneously enabling better service to taxpayers.
Celebrating Excellence in Workplace Design
The BCO Awards 2023 have once again spotlighted the vital role of innovative, sustainable, and people-focused design in creating workplaces that not only cater to business needs but also contribute to the wellbeing of employees and the wider community. The BCO continues to inspire the UK’s commercial property sector to strive for excellence by recognising and celebrating these best-in-class workplaces.
Welcoming a New Chapter in Workplace Design
As demonstrated by the BCO Awards, we are ushering in a new era of workplace design that prioritises wellbeing, sustainability, and social impact. These awards serve as an important measure of excellence, motivating businesses across the UK to create workplaces that truly make a difference.