Innovation and good design earn national awards from British Council for Offices, says Bob Serafini

The best creative interiors and exteriors of today’s offices, and the attention now given to the work environment, took pride of place at the British Council for Offices (BCO) Scottish awards.

Vodafone was called to the stage for the "best refurbished or recycled workspace" for its building at Berkeley Square, Glasgow, which the judges described as reflecting the new "DNA" for the company’s workplaces of the future.

By implementing a 24/7 flexible office through design and wireless technology, as well as a new on-site wellbeing centre, Vodafone’s ambition to both futureproof the site and change the way its workforce operates was reckoned to be "second to none", creating a revitalised environment and positive culture for employees.

In another nod to the importance many companies now attach to their workforces, Whitespace won "best fit out" for the innovative and collaborative studios at its Norloch House offices, set against the backdrop of Edinburgh castle.

The creative and digital agency briefed designers HKSD to create a light industrial "think tank" allowing staff the freedom to work effectively in a variety of scenarios. Agile working on each floor ranges from a ground floor collaborative hub for brainstorming to a third floor product development area.

Introduction of meeting pods, games areas, bar, interactive LED walls and even a secret Georgian drawing room are also designed to promote creativity.

The "best commercial workspace" title went to the speculatively developed 110 Queen Street, Glasgow, BAM Properties’ prime Grade A offices with its bold, elegant and sleek curved façade, designed by architects Cooper Cromar to be "intentionally incongruous" in its conservation area setting. If the key criteria to commercial success of any office is letting success, then this building is a worthy winner, fully let by blue chip and professional companies and already pre-sold on as an investment to German fund Deutsche AWM for £70 million.

Chosen top "corporate workplace" was Aker Solutions giant 330,000 sq ft HQ in Aberdeen, where judges were captivated by the Norwegian oil firm’s enjoyable environment for the 3,000 strong workforce.

Designed by Keppie and developed to BREEAM excellent and EPC A rating by Abstract on the Aberdeen International Business Park at the airport, it has catering and retail options, on-site nursery, and multiple fitness facilities including gym, squash court and sports hall.

The best small project, up to 21,528 sq ft, went to Threesixtyarchitecture’s £2.2m Plot 8 office building at Inverness campus. Built by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, it is already attracting life sciences sector businesses into the city.

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All five winners go forward to the BCO’s UK finals in London in October, along with the Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC) in Glasgow’s George Street, selected as a nomination for the prestigious innovation trophy. The cornerstone of Scotland’s international technology and renewable energy zone (ITREZ), the Strathclyde University project helps attract companies to Glasgow. Through groundbreaking methods, the futureproofed centre uses 50 per cent less heating energy compared to building standards.

Chairman of the judges Stephen Lewis of HFD Group said: "The impressively high calibre of entries has made judging an enjoyable but challenging task. It’s great to see people surpass the industry body’s benchmark for excellence."

Richard Kauntze, BCO chief executive, said Scotland had put forward incredibly strong examples of intelligent and well executed workplaces: "In an age where expectations of the marketplace, and indeed the workforce, are fluid and often changing, these winning workplaces show how a flexible design ethos can reap rewards."

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New owners lead rebirth of Sauchiehall Street

There’s renewed optimism about prospects for a famous Glasgow shopping street this week after a major deal, some smart asset management moves, and plans to create two restaurant units on both corners of the Sauchiehall Building.

The UK’s largest sporting retailer, SportsDirect.com has taken a new 10 year lease of the 13,000 sq ft former JJB store at a rental believed to be around £130,000 pa.

Lease extensions have also been agreed with WH Smith to keep them at the former Sauchiehall Centre for another decade and Pure Gym to increase its space and take its unexpired term to 14 years.

Another creative move by the new owners, US private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) and asset manager Quadrant Estates, which acquired the property 12 months ago for £46.5 million, is gaining planning permission for café/restaurant use on its two corner units.

Gavin Anderson of Montagu Evans, which advised the landlord along with Paradigm Property Consultants, said advanced legal negotiations were taking place with a national restaurant operator for one property, with various restaurant and coffee shop options for the other. DWR Property acted for Sports Direct.com.

The redevelopment of the building, which includes Primark, TK Maxx and Superdrug and sits opposite M&S and Boots, comes at a time when the street is again attracting interest from national retail and leisure operators. Impending opening of two nearby hotels, Hampton by Hilton on Bath Street and Dakota Deluxe on West Regent Street, plus proposals for the Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed Willow Tea Rooms and re-opening of McLellan Art Galleries, add to the overall improvement.

Christopher Daniel, funding partner of Quadrant, said there had been a number of significant achievements in the first 12 months of ownership: "Our aim is to improve the vitality and viability of Sauchiehall Street and we are confident these enhancements to our building will create an exciting leisure hub and help attract greater footfall."