{"id":81351,"date":"2025-10-08T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T06:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bco.org.uk\/?p=81351"},"modified":"2025-10-14T15:44:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T14:44:46","slug":"bco-award-winners-raise-the-bar-for-esg-and-customer-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bco.org.uk\/bco-award-winners-raise-the-bar-for-esg-and-customer-experience","title":{"rendered":"BCO Award winners raise the bar for ESG and customer experience"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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An office designed entirely around circular economy principles, a 3,300m\u00b2 living wall and a former infirmary transformed into a modern office and events space, were just three of the amazing office innovations highlighted at the BCO\u2019s National Awards event.<\/p>

The awards, widely recognized across the built environment for celebrating the very best in office design, development and operation, took place at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House hotel on London\u2019s Park Lane on 7 October.<\/p>

The winners, announced in front of an audience of more than 1,200 senior figures from across the office sector, showcase what it takes to create a successful office in today\u2019s environment and how those leading the way are revitalising cities, cutting carbon and setting new benchmarks for best-in-class.<\/p>

Unusual HQ in Northamptonshire, home of lighting and stage engineering solutions provider Unusual Rigging, took home two awards on the night – one for Corporate Workplace<\/em> and the\u00a0Best of the Best <\/em>gong.<\/p>

The project was given the awards for not only achieving the very highest energy performance rating of EPC A+ and being built entirely on circular economy principles, but for exemplifying how modern offices have evolved to become beacons of sustainability best practice.<\/p>

A key highlight for judges was how this innovative building could be disassembled and reused at the end of its life, massively reducing its carbon footprint.<\/p>

The Edinburgh Futures Institute, a former Victorian infirmary transformed into a modern office and events space, collected the BCO\u2019s Innovation<\/em> award. The restored 20,000m\u00b2 space includes state-of-the-art teaching facilities, co-working space, business incubator space, plus exhibition and event spaces.<\/p>

The judges were \u00a0particularly impressed by the excavation under the main concourse to form a new auditorium, the innovative construction techniques used to restore and enhance the building, and the commitment of the University of Edinburgh to turning Scotland\u2019s oldest voluntary hospital into a hub for future thinking.<\/p>

Other winners on the night included One Station Hill in Reading, which picked up the award for Commercial Workspace<\/em>, Capital Group\u2019s HQ at 1 Paddington Square, PC, which won Fit Out of Workplace<\/em> and Eden in Salford\u2019s New Bailey development site, which was crowned winner of the ESG<\/em> award. Eden is a LETI Pioneer project and is the UK\u2019s first commercial office to achieve a 5.5-star NABERS UK \u201cDesign Reviewed\u201d rating.<\/p>

This year\u2019s event also handed out its first awards for customer experience, a new category focused on how well the UK\u2019s offices are serving the people that occupy them.<\/p>

GPE\u2019s Woolyard development in London Bridge, SE1, won the Customer Experience \u2013 Commercial Landlord<\/em> \u2013 award, with judges labelling the service as \u201cgame-changing\u201d, with building managers understanding client needs, providing a genuine sense of care and enabling customers to succeed.<\/p>

Natwest raised the Customer Experiencer \u2013 Corporate Occupier<\/em> \u2013 award aloft for its offices at 250 Bishopsgate, EC2. The integration of technology with human-centred service throughout the building, plus the bank\u2019s commitment to capturing the voices of 9,000 colleagues through various surveys to directly inform customer strategy, were standout actions for the BCO\u2019s judges.<\/p>

Mike Burton, chair of National Awards judging panel, said: \u201cThis year\u2019s judging process revealed a notable shift in how we define excellence in the workplace. The 2025 winners show how the UK\u2019s office sector is leading the way in creating spaces that are not just high-performing and sustainable, but deeply human. The winning projects prove that offices can be catalysts for wellbeing, creativity and urban renewal. \u201c<\/p>

Make Architects founder Ken Shuttleworth was handed the prestigious President\u2019s Award<\/em> at the event. He was honoured by BCO president Helen Hare for his outstanding contribution to the real estate industry.<\/p>

\u201cKen\u2019s philosophy is not just about the architecture of an individual standalone building,\u201d said Hare. \u201cIt is about creating a place \u2013 one that must have a heart. Ken has genuinely made a difference to our industry. His fearlessness in breaking down architectural boundaries, dedication to bringing through the next generation of architects, while supporting other aspects of the office sector, is why he is the perfect recipient of this year\u2019s BCO President\u2019s Award.\u201d<\/p>

Shuttleworth is recognised as one of the world\u2019s leading architects and continues to deliver a portfolio of iconic, innovative and sustainable buildings.<\/p>

Over the course of his 50-year career he has worked on some of the most groundbreaking architectural landmarks in the world, from HSBC in Hong Kong to London\u2019s Canary Wharf. He was one of the first to develop a 100% employee-owned architectural business and is committed to diversity, inclusion and recognising the importance of people.<\/p>

BCO chief executive Samantha McClary added: \u201cThe BCO Awards are a celebration of bold thinking and brilliant execution. What stands out this year is the sheer diversity of innovation taking place, from circular economy construction and biophilic design to inclusive, neurodiverse environments and flexible leasing models. These workplaces \u2013 and the people who creature and curate them – reflect a sector that\u2019s listening, learning and leading the way in meeting future challenges and opportunities head-on. The BCO is proud to champion this evolution and the people driving it\u201d<\/p>

The full list of winners from this year\u2019s BCO National Awards:<\/p>