Entopia Building in Cambridge wins BCO award

This former 1930s telephone exchange has been reimagined as a sustainable, collaborative office space spanning more than 32,000 sq ft. The building meets ambitious environmental standards, including EnerPHit Classic, WELL Gold, and BREEAM Outstanding – making it the first of its kind globally. The judges praised the project team for taking a new approach to refurbishment that raises industry standards.

Unusual HQ in Northampton won the Corporate Workspace award, with BCO judges hailing the project as a “pioneering achievement” in sustainable design. The two-storey building uses biogenic and reclaimed materials, generating more energy than it consumes.

Focused on low-carbon design and circular economy principles, it successfully balances functionality, creativity, and aesthetic appeal. Notably, it has been designed for full disassembly and reuse at the end of its life - a rare distinction for a commercial building.

The Clarendon Works, a 140,000 sq ft Grade A office development in Watford, was awarded the prize for best Commercial Workplace. Boasting market leading environmental, wellbeing, and digital connectivity certifications - including EPC A, BREEAM Excellent, WELL Platinum, ActiveScore, and WiredScore - the scheme is 80per cent pre-let, cementing its position as one of the most sought-after commercial offerings in the town.

Unity Place in Milton Keynes, Santander UK's headquarters, won the ESG Award. The seven-storey, low-rise building houses over 7,000 staff across efficient 60,000 sq ft floorplates.

Sustainability is central to the design, with more than 400 solar panels offsetting 40 tonnes of CO₂ annually, and glazed façades and full-height atria maximising natural daylight. Judges praised how Unity Place fosters collaboration and community centred around an internal street with independent retail, restaurants, and a community hall.