Michael Laird and Sir Robert McAlpine scheme wins BCO award

A refurbished office in Livingston, Edinburgh, has been named the best UK workplace of 2013 at the British Council for Offices (BCO) annual awards.

The office scheme was designed by Michael Laird Architects, engineer Arup, M&E engineer KJ Tait and quantity surveyor CBA and constructed by Sir Robert McAlpine.

It is occupied by manufacturer W.L. Gore & Associates (UK).

The office was also recognised as the best 鈥楻efurbished/Recycled Workplace鈥 in the UK, and topped a list of six other award winners recognised for excellence in office space. These were:

  • Commercial Workplace: Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London
  • Corporate Workplace: Birmingham City Council, 10 Woodstock Street, Birmingham
  • 鈥楤est of the Best鈥 and Refurbished/Recycled Workplace: W.L. Gore & Associates (UK), Fabrics Division, Simpson Parkway, Kirkton Campus, Livingston, Edinburgh
  • Fit Out of Workplace: Astellas European headquarters, 2000 Hillswood Drive, Chertsey
  • Project up to 2,000m2:  Nestl茅  Product Technology Centre, York
  • Innovation: Siemens鈥 The Crystal, Royal Docks, 1 Siemens Brothers Way, London
  • Test of Time: Memphis 黑洞社区, Lingfield Point, Darlington

The BCO judges said: 鈥淲.L. Gore & Associates (UK) refurbished office was singled out because, after 30 years of service, the company has upgraded its workplace to create a superior environment for staff and improve the facility鈥檚 environmental performance. 

鈥淭he transformed office has new external break-out spaces and an open-plan design, whilst the company鈥檚 history is represented creatively in the entrance foyer, with a timeline and pictures marking its major achievements.

鈥淭he new 鈥榟eart鈥 of the building is centrally located adjacent to the staff canteen, with views over the landscaped gardens and lake below.鈥