Liverpool’s Bunker was last night named among the best workplaces in the country at the British Council for Offices (BCO) annual National Awards, taking home the award for Projects up to 2,000m².
The BCO’s respected National Awards programme recognises top quality office design and functionality and sets the standard for excellence across the office sector in the UK. Around 1,400 of the country’s top designers, developers, architects and occupiers, who won their category in the 2016 Regional Awards programme, attended last night’s National Awards dinner, hoping to take home the National Award for their category.
As the first phase of a wider masterplan to regenerate the entire Littlewoods Edge Lane campus, the successful transformation of the Bunker, including securing its first occupier, was seen by the BCO judges as a catalyst for the regeneration of the area. The judges were impressed by the abundance of natural light in the space, with the office accommodation arranged around the perimeter of the building giving views out, and the centre of the building transformed into an atrium and circulation space under a re-glazed, existing roof light.
The judges also commented positively on the use of the existing concrete frame, which was retained and restored, with a new timber framed façade constructed and set back from the retained frame to create a blend of old and new. The flexibility of the space also impressed the judges, with the open plan floor plate giving the space the potential to be split into two, three or four units on each floor.
Emma Crawford, Managing Director of Central London Leasing at CBRE and BCO National Awards Chair, commented: “The simplicity of the design, attention to detail and selection of materials have doubtless contributed to the success of the Bunker. The building has natural ventilation and lots of natural light, along with a large amount of spatial flexibility offered by the open plan design, making this a tempting proposition for any occupier.”
Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, said: “The approach to the project demonstrates how simple design can be effortlessly effective and deliver a great product, turning a redundant, derelict building into flexible commercial work space. The success of the Bunker shows a clear path forward for regeneration in the area.”
For more information about the awards and the winners this year visit the BCO website (www.bco.org.uk). Entries for 2017’s BCO Regional and National Awards programme open on Wednesday 5th October 2016.
