FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
Seven office buildings across the Midlands and Central England region have been recognised as the most outstanding workplaces and received British Council for Offices (BCO) Awards.
Held at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, the BCO’s annual Midlands and Central Awards Lunch recognised projects that demonstrate best practice in office design, fit-out and sustainability, setting the standard for excellence across the sector.
The winners of this year’s competition in the Midlands and Central England stand out for their ambition in delivering user-centric spaces that champion wellbeing, sustainability, and innovation, reflecting evolving demands.
The BCO Regional Award winners for the Midlands and Central England are:
- Unusual HQ, The Wharf, Northampton (Corporate Workplace)
- The Clarendon Works, 39 Clarendon Road, Watford (Commercial Workplace)
- Project Arden, 4th floor, 1 Manor House Drive, Coventry (Fit Out of Workplace)
- The Entopia Building, 1 Regent St, Cambridge (Refurbished/Recycled Workplace)
- JLL, One Centenary Way, Birmingham (Projects up to 2,500m²)
- Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, Spring Gardens, Shrewsbury (Innovation)
- Unity Place, 200 Grafton Gate, Milton Keynes (ESG)
Unusual HQ
Unusual HQ in Northamptonshire won the Corporate Workplace award, with BCO judges hailing the project as a “pioneering achievement” in sustainable design. The two-storey building uses biogenic and reclaimed materials, generating more energy than it consumes. Focused on low-carbon design and circular economy principles, it successfully balances functionality, creativity, and aesthetic appeal. Notably, it has been designed for full disassembly and reuse at the end of its life – a rare distinction for a commercial building.
The Clarendon Works
The Clarendon Works, a 140,000 sq ft Grade A office development in Watford, was awarded the prize for best Commercial Workplace. BCO judges praised its well-designed communal and amenity spaces, which include a café, roof terrace, private bar, bike storage, changing rooms, and fitness suites. Boasting market leading environmental, wellbeing, and digital connectivity certifications – including EPC A, BREEAM Excellent, WELL Platinum, ActiveScore, and WiredScore – the scheme is 80 per cent pre-let, cementing its position as one of the most sought-after commercial offerings in the town.
Project Arden
Project Arden in Coventry was crowned best Fit out of Workplace. Designed for hybrid working, the office provides a collaborative working environment for Cambridge University Press and Assessment, which seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technology. The building’s BREEAM Very Good rating and EPC A certification support its environmental goals, while the fit-out achieved SKA Gold certification through significant waste recycling and reduced carbon emissions. Judges were impressed with the teamwork between client and contractor, resulting in a space that is flexible, personable and enjoyed by all.
The Entopia Building
The Refurbished/Recycled Workplace award went to The Entopia Building, home to the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. This former 1930s telephone exchange has been reimagined as a sustainable, collaborative office space spanning more than 32,000 sq ft. The building meets ambitious environmental standards, including EnerPHit Classic, WELL Gold, and BREEAM Outstanding – making it the first of its kind globally. The judges praised the project team for taking a new approach to refurbishment that raises industry standards.
Image © Jack Hobhouse Photography
JLL, One Centenary Way
JLL’s One Centenary Way in Birmingham was the recipient of the award for Projects up to 2,500m². An underused and disconnected workspace has been transformed into an inclusive environment that enhances collaboration and wellbeing, and caters to the needs of employees and clients alike. BCO judges deemed this to be an exemplary sustainable fit-out, limiting embodied carbon through the re-use of base build materials and considered material selection. The extent of biophilia, variety of working areas, and acoustic measures, all contribute to the success of the project.
Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings
Shrewsbury’s historic Flaxmill Maltings took home the Innovation award for its superb restoration and reuse of a 1790s building. Once known as the ‘grandparent of skyscrapers’, the refurbishment has celebrated the original fabric and features of the building to create a flexible workspace, visitor hub and café across four levels. BCO judges were impressed with how the project team had involved the local community from the outset, employing local people, delivering a heritage skills programme and instilling a sense of civic pride.
Image © Daniel Hopkinson
Unity Place
Unity Place in Milton Keynes, Santander UK’s headquarters, won this year’s ESG award. The seven-storey, low-rise building houses over 7,000 staff across efficient 60,000 sq ft floorplates. Sustainability is central to the design, with more than 400 solar panels offsetting 40 tonnes of CO₂ annually, and glazed façades and full-height atria maximising natural daylight. Judges praised how Unity Place fosters collaboration and community centred around an internal street with independent retail, restaurants, and a community hall.
Image © HuftonCrow
Will Higgins, Associate Director at Knight Frank and Chair of the BCO Midlands and Central Judging Panel, said: “The BCO regional awards are an opportunity to celebrate the new innovations and exemplar design within the office sector across a range of categories. This year’s entries have elevated the workplace experience through increased focus on wellbeing, championing sustainability and embracing neurodiversity. All of this has been made possible through the collaborative spirit of the dedicated design teams who have been formed to create and deliver these impressive projects. Congratulations to the regional winners and I wish them the best of luck for the upcoming National Awards.”
Midlands and Central England winners will compete for the BCO National Awards on Tuesday 7 October 2025 at the Grosvenor House, JW Marriott Hotel, London.
To see the North’s Award winners click here.
To see London’s Award winners click here.
To see South of England and South Wales Award winners click here.
Workplace management solutions provider, Matrix Booking, has published a new free guide on how to create workspaces that meet the demands of the current and future workforce.
For those businesses looking to encourage more employees into the office, or wanting to improve their experience overall, ‘How facilities and workplace managers can shape the office of the future’ provides insights and the tools you need to ensure your environment meets the changing nature of employee preferences, employer requests, and evolving styles of work.
To download the guide click here.
