Two of our projects have been recognised in the British Council for Offices Awards which acknowledge excellence in office space.
Two New Bailey, Salford, which was built for the English Cities Fund and Sunderland City Hall, built for developer Siglion and end-user Sunderland City Council, have won the Commercial Workplace and Corporate Workplace categories respectively.
On presentation of the awards, the judges’ comments noted:
“Winner of the Commercial Workplace category, Two New Bailey Square, is an inventive office building which impressed the judging panel with its flexible and characterful working environments. Referencing the spirit of Salford’s industry and the site’s setting on the River Irwell, the architecture creates a 21st century warehouse for work. The development’s iconic red steel structure is exposed and brought to the outside to provide solar shading for an elegantly fabricated façade, while servicing systems and surface finishes are expressed to provide personality to the interior. The street is activated by a mix of complementary uses and each floor enjoys generous private outside decks. Occupiers also have access to a rooftop terrace benefiting from panoramic views across Manchester and Salford.”
“Winner of the Corporate Workplace category, Sunderland City Hall is a building which represents an early-stage catalyst in a phase of transformational regeneration and change for Sunderland. City Hall creates space for both a public sector work force and for private enterprise and there is a publicly accessible ground floor which contains a multifunctional council chamber, customer service centre and cafe spaces. Particular design consideration has been given to assuming a distinctive civic presence in the redevelopment of the city and a positive engagement with Keel Square and the wider Riverside Sunderland masterplan. The building provides all the tools for work collaboration and social support, and then wraps them in an architectural and interior design which is embedded in its local context. Inside the building, the innovative arrangement of floor plates offers engaged workspaces which actively encourage cross-pollination of a previously dislocated workforce. The central staircase is inspired by Sunderland’s rich industrial heritage, creating a sculptural and iconic symbol in the uplifting, light-filled heart of the project. The BCO North judges were inspired by the project which they praised for setting a new bar for both Corporate Workplace design, and the public sector workplace.”
Acknowledging innovation and examples of best practice, the BCO Awards have been part of the construction industry calendar since 1992.