The British Council for Offices has announced the winners of the 2023 BCO Awards, designed to celebrate best-in-class office buildings across the UK.

Barclays’ Glasgow Campus

This year’s winners reflect the growing focus on wellbeing and a more holistic approach to workplace design. Despina Katsikakis, President of the BCO, said: “In addition to impressive estates savings, what is of particular importance to the BCO is how workplaces are making a positive social impact. Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, added: “This year, all of the winners demonstrated a clear passion and commitment which goes beyond simple commercial excellence. Putting ESG at the heart of their decision making was undoubtedly more evident, shining a light on the meaningful role that offices play in society.”

The winners are:

Best of the Best and Corporate Workplace

Barclays’ Glasgow campus by Halliday Fraser Munro and Gensler
Barclays’ new Glasgow campus by Halliday Fraser Munro with interiors by Gensler won the Corporate Workplace category and was also named the overall Best of the Best. The project has successfully regenerated a derelict site on the bank of the River Clyde. It particularly impressed the judges with the benefits it has delivered for both employees and the wider community through considered placemaking and social initiatives. Combining such initiatives with exceptional workplace design makes it a “truly outstanding” project, the judges remarked. Notable for its focus on creating an inclusive and “barrier-free” working environment, the campus also deploys renewable energy technologies and houses an educational Sustainability Centre.

Another campus, home to TJX in Watford, was highly commended in the Corporate Workplace category for its positive contribution to the local area, where the retailer has been a key employer for 25 years.

Commercial Workplace

Photograph: Rob Parrish.

One Portwall Square, Bristol, by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
Innovation in design and delivery earned One Portwall Square by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris the Commercial Workplace prize. The judges were particularly struck by the building’s pioneering mixed-mode ventilation and cooling systems. Generous floor-to-ceiling heights, roof terraces on every level, and a touchless journey throughout the building also contribute to its success.

Fit Out of Workplace 

Diageo, London, by MCM
Described as “clever and thought through” by the judges, Diageo’s new global HQ fitted out by MCM is the winner of the Fit Out of Workplace award. As part of the refit of the space, generous interventions, such as a striking feature staircase, make connectivity a focal point. The judges also noted that state-of-the art technology has been deployed with a user experience that is both functional and inspirational.

Projects up to 1,500m² 

Threesixty Architecture Studio, Inverness, by Threesixty Architecture
The prize for Projects up to 1,500m² went to Threesixty Architecture’s own studio in Inverness, for making an impact larger than its relatively small scale and demonstrating a commitment to “walking the walk”. To support the recovery of the high street, the office plays host equally well to yoga classes as a venue for the RIAS convention. A sensitive approach to construction procurement saw the extensive use of local trades to create a beautifully crafted workspace.

Refurbished/Recycled Workplace

Sycamore House, Stevenage, by Owers Warwick Architects
The judges found Owers Warwick Architects’ transformation of Sycamore House from tired and underutilised storage shed to cutting edge office “truly inspirational” and a worthy winner of the Refurbished/Recycled Workplace category. Modern and flexible workspaces combine with vibrant communal areas to encourage interaction between occupiers. Large meeting spaces, a welcoming café, winter gardens, and clever use of height and volume create a space that the judges said feels genuinely collaborative.

Two projects were highly commended in this category: Calico, Manchester, by Hawkins\Brown, where the judges were impressed by the clear distinction between Grade II-listed building fabric and new interventions, including art, colour and texture; and The Kensington Building, London, by Pilbrow & Partners, which was recognised for its beauty, biodiversity and sustainability credentials.

Innovation

Five Bank Street, London, by Perkins&Will
At Five Bank Street by Perkins&Will, the judges felt that the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD) demonstrated a passion for doing the right thing, both socially and environmentally, while providing a state-of-the-art office environment for its workforce and clients. A materials passport and deconstruction guide for the project was one of the reasons the judges decided it was worthy of the Innovation award. On-going post-occupancy evaluation also stood out as exemplary.

ESG

Photograph: Jack Hobhouse.

The HERE Building, Thames Valley Park, by Hawkins\Brown
Through the creative repositioning of the HERE Building, Hawkins\Brown forensic approach was adopted to tracking and minimising its carbon impact. The winner of the ESG award exemplifies how data-led design can deliver an aspirational product. Its timber atrium is a tangible expression of how ESG has permeated every aspect of the project, redefining how a business park can meet the needs of today’s occupiers.

Test of Time

White Collar Factory, London, by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
White Collar Factory, a previous winner of the BCO’s National Innovation Award in 2018, was presented the Test of Time award. Described by the judges as “a very brave project” that created the next generation flexible office, the building has allowed businesses to grow, during and beyond the pandemic, and is now fully let.

Waterfront Point was awarded Highly Commended in this category. The judges said the project felt like “a real home” for the workforce of Halton Housing and has been easily adapted to reflect changes to the business post-Covid.

President’s Award

HMRC Croydon. Photograph: Hufton+Crow.

HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) Locations Programme
The President’s Award was presented to HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) Locations Programme, a more than decade-long workplace restructure and estate transformation within one of the UK’s biggest employers. In that time, 11 new or refurbished HMRC offices have been in the running for the BCO’s Regional Awards. 73,000 civil servants now benefit from smarter working and a more supportive culture – increasing colleague satisfaction to 88 per cent. At the same time, the new regional centres enable better service to taxpayers, while supporting levelling up and local communities.