It’s awards season!
It is most definitely Awards Season and we were delighted to attend the British Council of Offices Awards at the Grosvenor House in London last night. There’s nothing like seeing 1200 intensely focused workplace professionals all in one place to remind you what a phenomenal industry we are in!
The BCO awards celebrate schemes from all over the UK, with the winners of 5 regional events all competing to be crowned the best of the best. We were treated to the full spectrum of projects that incorporated everything from spaces under 2500ft² to recycled office spaces and a special commendation to BBC Wales’ premises for standing the test of time. What every category entrant had in common was that they demonstrated that what we view as “normal” in the workplace has changed beyond all recognition in the last 10 years.
The awareness of very human needs during the working day is now at the forefront of office planning, with wellness rooms, living walls and even yoga studios not even raising an eyebrow nowadays. We’ve certainly come a long way!
A highlight of the evening for us was watching Dr Ken Shuttleworth receiving the President’s Award for his lifetime at the forefront of architecture. We’re reminded of this every time we deliver a project in one of his Foster + Partners projects at 200 Grays Inn Road – proof that great design has lasting impact.
Thanks to the Estates Gazette team for hosting our table – learn more about the ceremony and all the (amazing) shortlisted schemes here.
Photo: Gary Heasman