Three of the best

TEST OF TIME

As Chair of judges, Burton also highlights the importance of post-occupancy assessments when sizing up a potential winner. He describes key success factors that include soft landings and post-occupancy evaluations to make sure the buildings are operating as intended, the FM team are trained and the users understand the building and fine tuning and seasonal commissioning is completed.

This is of particular significance in the award which went to White Collar Factory, a previous winner of the BCO’s National Innovation Award in 2018. For 2023 it was the recipient of the Test of Time Award, where it was described by the judges as “a very brave project” that created the next generation flexible office and a building that has allowed businesses to grow, during and beyond the pandemic and is now fully let.

Burton explains that the White Collar Factory, which was completed five-years ago won the BCO Innovation Award in 2018 for setting new standards in the office market. BREEAM Outstanding, WELL Platinum, WIREDSCORE and SMARTSCORE Platinum awards along with passive design, openable windows with natural ventilation, tall ceilings, flexible floor plates and innovative concrete core cooling were all features of the project.

He says: “The building was the result of a bold and ambitious research project and hence the judges were delighted to visit the building again to see if it has stood the test of time. Discussing the ongoing maintenance, flexibility and use with both the users and the FM team really gave the judges an insight into the success of the building. The building remains fully let and is home to a wide range of occupiers who have flexed and grown beyond the pandemic, helped by the inherent flexibility of the building.”

We wanted to know if there were any areas of office design the BCO and the judges would like to see more of in future award entries, for example, improvements in accessibility, more seamless technology and greener builds?

Says Burton: “There will be more focus in the future on circularity and regenerative design where buildings will be designed to have a positive impact on the environment and where the building materials, fixtures and furniture used are predominately recycled and reused.

“There will continue to be far more refurbishments and retro fits, with the need to reduce embodied carbon and celebrate the repurposing of the existing buildings.

“The growing use of data along with AI to inform the design and construction process, with intelligent building systems that improve the user experience while reducing energy and support maintenance will be more commonplace.”

He concludes: “Projects with passionate clients, with sustainability at their heart will continue to win these prestigious awards.”

For more information on all the awards winners and entry details for 2024 visit: www.bco.org.uk/Awards/Awards.aspx