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British Council For Offices’ Awards Go Virtual For The First Time As London’s Best Workplaces Are Honoured At The Annual Regional Awards

Five businesses have been recognised in London at the annual British Council for Offices' (BCO) regional awards. This year, the prestigious event was held virtually as part of the BCO’s Festival Awards Week, which recognises the highest quality developments in the UK and sets the standard for excellence in the regional and national office sector.

The winning workplaces:

• Brunel Building, 1&2 Canalside Walk (Commercial Workplace)
• Pennington Street Warehouse (Corporate Workplace)
• Post Building, McKinsey & Company (Fit Out Of Workplace)
• 160 Old Street (Refurbished / Recycled Workplace and Innovation )
• 5-6 Eccleston Yards (Projects Up To 1,500m2)

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Brunel Building, 1&2 Canalside Walk won the Best Commercial Workplace award. This is a people focused establishment, centred around the daily desires of workers, such as access to the canal and underground tube lines, flexible office space and enhanced natural light and air provision. Judges have particularly praised the solar shading incorporated in the external structure, which provides passive energy saving and addresses environmental concerns held by occupiers.

Pennington Street Warehouse won the Best Corporate Workplace award. The judges referred to this workplace as somewhere that “put a smile on everyone’s face”. The judges were struck by the remarkable adaptation of a London Dock Grade II listed building into a single, creative and collaborative design studio, as well as the commitment to sustainability through local sourcing of key materials.

Post Building, won Best Fit Out Of Workplace. The refurbishment of The Post Building into McKinsey’s new workspace has taken the company from an old, traditional office into a new, modern space that drives efficiency, enables flexibility and improves connectivity between colleagues. Judges were particularly impressed by the building’s focus on access to natural light in aid of workers wellness, encouraging the business to build healthy behaviours.

160 Old Street won both the Refurbished / Recycled Workplace and the Innovation Awards. The judges were struck by the transformation of this space from a neglected 1970s building into an innovative, sustainable and modern development. Chiefly, the use of an innovative smart building app which informs occupants of the latest local events and offerings, as well as allowing workers control over the light and temperature of their personal desk space, creating a truly enjoyable and personalised experience at work.

5-6 Eccleston Yards has won the Projects Up To 1,500m category. This development has completely reviewed the way their business works and the role of the workspace in supporting this. The central circulation spine not only spreads natural air across the office but creates an open environment which occupiers feel at ease working within. Judges noted how the extended window space has allowed workers to better engage with nature throughout the day, enabling them to be their best every day.

Phil Breeden, Director at Mace Cost Consultancy and Regional Judging Chair for the BCO London Chapter commented: “Deciding on our winners gets trickier and trickier each year as the standard continues to rise. It is refreshing to see our winners having acknowledged the concerns of the modern worker - such as climate change and wellbeing - and acted on these through efficient workplace design. On occasions like this, we are reminded that the office plays a much larger role in people’s lives than it often gets credit for, making it essential for the health of our community”.

Richard Kauntze, chief executive of the BCO commented: “It is hugely inspiring to see buildings within the office industry continue to push the boundaries of innovation year after year. As we look towards the return to the workplace post-pandemic, office workers can feel assured that London has a superb range of spectacular offices designed to offer the most effective platforms to allow businesses to flourish”.

The ceremony marked the 12^th year of the BCO Regional Awards dedicated to London. Held online, the ceremony was a virtual first for the BCO, but still involved all the usual excitement that makes up the in-person ceremony. Guests were able to network, celebrate with friends and watch a live ceremony, presented by June Sarpong, Director of Creative Diversity at the BBC to recreate the magic of the traditional awards ceremony.

London winners will compete with those from other regions at the BCO Virtual National Awards on Tuesday 26 January 2021.

The BCO Awards will continue next year in 2021, with entries opening on Wednesday 7 October and closing Friday 27 November 2020.

For more information on the awards and applications, visit the BCO website (www.bco.org.uk).