Sustainability and wellbeing yet again key themes of South West BCO Awards

Seven office developments across the South of England and South Wales have been recognised as the region’s most outstanding workplaces at the annual British Council for Offices (BCO) Awards. Among the winners were three Bristol-based projects, highlighting the city’s growing reputation for innovative, inclusive and sustainable office design. The awards ceremony, held at We The Curious in Bristol, celebrated excellence in office design, fit-out, and environmental performance. With a strong emphasis this year on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), wellbeing, and inclusivity, the judges praised the winning projects for their forward-thinking, occupier-focused approaches.

Leading the winners was Cardiff University’s spark|sbarc, which claimed the Best Corporate Workplace title. The seven-storey development fosters collaboration between academia and enterprise, offering state-of-the-art amenities, public spaces, and flexible work areas. At its heart is a dramatic spiral staircase that encourages movement and interaction, symbolising the building’s ethos of openness and innovation.

Reading’s ONE Station Hill secured the award for Best Commercial Workplace. As part of an ambitious £850 million regeneration scheme, the 275,000 sq ft building sets a benchmark for sustainable office design. It is fully electric, net zero carbon, and BREEAM Outstanding, with features including rooftop terraces, a fitness club, and integrated smart technology. The development has already attracted major tenants such as PepsiCo and PwC.

In Bristol, fintech firm Dojo was awarded Best Fit Out of a Workplace for its vibrant headquarters on Victoria Street. The 54,770 sq ft office supports over 400 desks and incorporates flexible working zones, wellness spaces, and a barista bar. The fit-out merges Bristol’s cultural identity—through local graffiti art—with sustainability, using recycled materials and energy-efficient lighting, all while placing inclusivity and comfort at the centre of the design.

The Englefield Estate Yard in Reading triumphed in the Projects up to 2,500m² category. A former Grade II listed sawmill has been transformed into a modern office space that supports local suppliers and prioritises energy efficiency. The judges praised its sensitive restoration, use of renewable energy, and biophilic design, all of which contribute to an A-rated energy performance.

Also in Bristol, BLOK at One Castle Park won Best Refurbished/Recycled Workplace. This adaptive reuse project reimagined a 1980s building with carbon-conscious upgrades, adding a communal business lounge, coffee shop and landscaped gardens. Its flexible layout and sustainable features offer a blueprint for the future of urban office developments.

The Innovation Award went to Assembly C, another Bristol project, which transformed a disused brownfield site into a dynamic commercial space. Notable for its bold architecture and environmental credentials, including BREEAM Excellent and EPC A ratings, the building utilises off-site prefabrication and connects to the city’s heat network. It also features public spaces, amphitheatre seating, and prioritises community engagement.

In Woking, Nomad Foods’ European headquarters was recognised with the ESG Award for its outstanding commitment to sustainability and staff wellbeing. The design process involved extensive consultation with employees, resulting in a flexible, inclusive workplace. Achieving SKA Gold and BREEAM Excellent, the space integrates real-time energy monitoring, ergonomic furniture, and biophilic design elements to support hybrid working and employee health.

Reflecting on the regional achievements, John Wright, Chair of the BCO Committee for South of England and South Wales, said: “It’s no surprise that many of the outstanding entries this year were refurbishments and fit-outs. These projects demonstrate how design teams can creatively reinvent buildings to meet modern demands and sustainability goals. The winning offices are perfect examples of how intelligent design enhances communities and supports a variety of work styles.”

The regional winners will now go on to compete at the BCO National Awards, to be held on Tuesday 7 October 2025 at the Grosvenor House, JW Marriott Hotel in London.

This year’s BCO Awards were led by headline sponsor AET Flexible Space, with additional support from gold sponsors AECOM, Glamox, and Troup Bywaters + Anders.