BCO Media, Author at BCO - British Council for Offices

As our Annual Conference in Manchester nears, the NextGen are excited to invite you to an evening of drinks and dancing at Manchester’s Freight Island on Tuesday 14 June from 8pm onwards.

Whilst the conference is now fully booked, all NextGen members – delegates or not – are invited to attend the NextGen ‘After party’, which will be a fantastic opportunity to meet and mingle with friends and colleagues.

We will provide a few drinks, food, and entertainment, just bring yourself and enjoy a taste of Manchester’s vibrant night life!

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to connect with your NextGen community, get your tickets here and come celebrate this past year’s achievements with us.

One of the most-quoted statistics on the impact of embodied carbon in the built environment is that 80 percent of the buildings we’ll need by 2050 already exist. This provides a clear rationale for the reuse and retrofit of existing buildings; however, as the redevelopment of city office buildings continues at a rapid pace, there are many examples where keeping existing buildings isn’t seen as a viable option – whether that’s for financial, structural or various other reasons. This conflict leads to fierce debate and friction between carbon and commercial aspirations and priorities.

The principles of circularity may provide a resolution to this debate. When viewed from a circular mindset, existing buildings have much to offer, and by designing adaptable, demountable structures, we have an opportunity to sustainably extend the lifespan of buildings and their materials.

To further understand and explore these opportunities, BCO Nextgen brought together a panel of industry experts working at the forefront of circularity. These included Rachel Hoolahan (Sustainability Coordinator at Orms), Steve Gilchrist (Project Director at Grosvenor), Andrea Charlson (Commercial Manager and Built Environment Lead at ReLondon), and Laura Batty (Structural Engineer and Associate at Heyne Tillett Steel).

Rachel Hoolahan set the challenge at Orms to aim for at least one deep sustainability assignment on each project. This design-research mentality is leading to innovation that unlocks circular economy opportunities. During the panel discussions, she raised the challenges and questions brought to light during the redevelopment of 160 Old Street, a former Royal Mail sorting office.

The project achieved a 70 percent uplift in net internal area through a reconfiguration and extension, while retaining 76 percent of the existing structure, saving nearly 3,000 tons of CO₂emissions. The key challenge, however, was ensuring the additional floorplates were flexible and of a high-quality, as expected in a new building. Although the retention and extension of the existing structure had the biggest carbon savings, it was in the selection, specification and design of new elements that needed the most challenging. Hoolahan gave the example of the ceramic sinks in the washrooms, which could be “easily uninstalled, disassembled and reused in the future, [while opening] up the opportunity to source reused sinks as the initial specification.”

While this is just one example of a ‘deep assignment’, by implementing this circular mindset both at a large and small scale, the materials and the building are ensured for long-term, flexible and sustainable use.

Grosvenor has been exploring circularity innovations across several projects, both in terms of practical applications and the long-term implications of them. They see materials reuse as an opportunity to balance their materials across a range of sites. But as project director Steve Gilchrist explained, circularity can be a wide-ranging topic, so you need to be focused to create any meaningful change.

He explained that during a recent project, in collaboration with Orms, Grosvenor paused the design to slow down and focus on the long-term impact of the building. Steve said,“We want [the design team] to learn about the building now, [and] think about how things could be done in the future,” before rushing into the design.This thinking, combined with Grosvenor’s ambition to explore the full process of implementing circularity, meant the design team could engage with detailed building surveys and thoroughly understand the materials within the building, and whether they could be reused. The team also worked with lawyers on warranties, to ensure these ideas could be implemented in a commercially sustainable way.

In demonstrating to supply chains that reusing materials from existing building stock can be viable, Grosvenor are paving the way for more detailed circular material models in future.

While the private sector is making tremendous progress, the public sector is critical to the successful adoption of circular economy strategies across the industry. ReLondon, a partnership between the Mayor of London and the London boroughs, is on a mission to revolutionise London’s relationship with products and waste. As Andrea Charlson put it, ReLondon are “helping London waste less, reuse, recycle, repair and share more.”

One of ReLondon’s focus areas is the inclusion of circularity in The London Plan. The policy around reducing waste and supporting a circular economy has four key elements; a requirement to collaborate, promote a more circular economy, produce innovation, and adhere to targets around waste diversion from landfill and reuse. However, the most significant element for most large developments is the requirement for referrable schemes to submit a circular economy statement as part of the planning process. Two of the most interesting components of embedding circularity in the planning process is the need for a pre-demolition audit – if the site’s being demolished or redevelopment – and the post-construction requirements that show how a building can be adapted and reused in future. Where this is implemented, it is expected that we’ll see a real-world reduction in the use of virgin materials across the whole life of a project, leading to a reduced carbon budget.

ReLondon is part of a consortium of 31 organisations across 4 cities (London, Copenhagen, Hamburg and the Helsinki region) who are working together on the Horizon 2020-funded ‘Circular Construction in Regenerative Cities’ (CIRCuIT) project. Through the project, they are aiming to reduce the yearly consumption of virgin raw materials by 20% in new construction, and show cost savings of 15% – something that can only be achieved through collaboration. ReLondon are also trying to improve the quantity of data available, and the accessibility of existing data, while providing tools to access it – all of which will help ReLondon, and fellow organisations, achieve this collective goal of reducing waste and carbon.

By pushing for policy change in the public sector, ReLondon are steering the local industry, and indeed a global city, in the direction of circularity.

While the opportunity and scalability of circularity offers the potential to revolutionise the construction industry and reduce our impact on finite resources, there are also easy wins that all projects can, and must, start actioning. Not every project will have a reusable structure, and not every project team has access to a materials bank, but through early design decisions, we can make new buildings easier to adapt, reuse and disassemble in the future.

Laura Batty runs the internal research and development department at Heyne Tillett Steel, where they’ve been exploring the principles of circular design and disassembly on various projects, including their new offices at 16 Chart Street. She says the opportunity to extend the lifespan of the things we use is important, and by creating structures that are “designed to be disassembled and reused at a higher possible value, [we are] eliminating waste and pollution, avoiding things being designed to be thrown away, and designing instead to facilitate reappropriation and recycling.” Designing structures that can be disassembled using bolted connections and exposed steelwork, for example, makes the process of disassembly more achievable when the building’s functional life is over.

By factoring the end of a building’s life into its design, we can redefine the life cycles of buildings and establish a framework for a circular industry.

It’s clear from the panellists that circularity cannot be achieved in isolation – it needs to be a collaborative process, between internal teams, developers and designers, and the public and private sectors. Circularity looks set to revolutionise the workplace life cycle and reduce the sector’s impact on the environment, but only if everyone involved is willing to move beyond the standard models of design, procurement and occupation, and shift towards closing the loop instead.

We wish to thank our panellists for their unique, expert perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of circularity in practice. To listen to the full discussion, click the link here.

We are delighted to announce that the 2022 BCO Manchester Conference is now fully booked, with over 750 delegates set to attend. To add your name to the waiting list, please email registration@sasevents.co.uk; if we receive any cancellations, we will get in touch to offer you a place.

Booked a ticket? Make sure to choose your sessions or conference activities in advance by editing your booking here.

We look forward to seeing many of you in June, for what will be a truly unforgettable event.

Laura Beddis, Galliford Try
Rachel Holmes, MDA Consulting
Luke Martin, JLL
Monika Nowak, Hoare Lea
Matt Perring, Method Consulting LLP
Toni Riddiford, Stride Treglown

There could be no better setting for the launch of the 2022 BCO NextGen Ideas Competition than the HYLO, a self-proclaimed ‘basecamp for brilliance.’

The evening of Thursday 31st March saw members of the BCO NextGen Committee gather for a long-awaited in-person networking event in one of London’s most exciting new buildings. Kicking off proceedings was Multiplex’s Andy Campbell, chair of the London and South East NextGen committee, who provided an overview of the evening, and directed attention to our fundraiser for Ukraine. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by the ongoing devastation in Ukraine, and it felt pertinent to use our event to contribute positively in some way. Donations can still be made here.

Stephen Cherry, Managing Director at HCL Architects, Steve Riddell, Partner at CIT Group, and Michael Hynd, Associate Director AKTII, provided an in-depth run through of building spec and hosted a brief Q&A on the HYLO development. A guided tour of the building followed, with NextGen members split into groups and led through the development with a related party on hand to answer any queries. Experiencing this excellent example of a future-focused workspace served as an ideal forerunner to the main event — the launch of the Ideas Project.

The tour was rounded off by drinks and nibbles on the top floor, readying the next generation of talent to foster their best ideas over an evening of networking. Emily Pallot, Director at Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt, led a galvanising launch, pitching the central concept of the BCO Ideas Competition and calling on members to submit their entries for the future workspace. The 2022 competition looks for individual submissions, widening the gateposts and encouraging more creative freedom than ever before —

Anyone can enter, provided that you are a member of the BCO NextGen. Consider how you could shape the modern workplace for the better, by incorporating one of the four focus categories in your design:

The HYLO proved to be a hotbed of inspiration. Sunlight streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows in the early evening, casting light on animated conversations. There was much discussion of ‘best ideas’ and their origins, some more offbeat than others, as we found…

Where do you come up with your best ideas? — “At a rave! It makes you disconnect in a way, but there’s also such a big part of your brain that is occupied by the music. I always feel inspired afterwards”

What do you do if you’re stuck for an idea? — “Yoga. Or on a bigger scale, travel by myself. Both stimulate me”

Where do you come up with your best ideas? — “Before I go to sleep. There are no distractions, it’s just me and the ebb and flow of my thoughts. ”

What do you do if you’re stuck for an idea? — “When I’m stuck for ideas I reach out and speak to people, that never fails to inspire me. Through the BCO I have met people who encourage you to think bigger, but in a neutral environment. It’s not competitive, but it encourages you to better yourself. At BCO events you interact as people, not just as professionals.”

If being an instrumental factor in the future of workspace wasn’t enough incentive, the BCO is also offering six finalists “a world-class opportunity to learn to articulate, refine and amplify your ideas” through incredible Ted-talk style public speaking training with Ginger Leadership Communications. You will then have the opportunity to flex your newfound skills, pitching your ideas publicly at the final Ideas Project Event, attended by key leaders across the industry and fellow BCO members later this year. Sarah, head of Ginger Communications, and her team will lead you through a series of workshops that

Grab the chance to boost your profile in the industry and learn to sell yourself in a way that will stick.

We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who helped in bringing this event to life, with special thanks to HYLO for hosting us, and of course to our sponsor of the evening, LA Construction.

The limits are what you make them, so you can dream big. Take it from James Pellatt, Director of Workplace and Innovation at Great Portland Estates and one of our 2022 judges: “Very few people get creative ideas in an office,” so what is your solution?

The future of the workplace is yours to design. Enter now for your chance to be the change you want to see.

We are delighted to welcome Alex Lawlor and Vasiliki Bowler to the Photography Competition judging panel

Alex Lawlor, MRICS
Alex Lawlor, an Associate Director at Faithful+Gould, works within the corporate real estate sector delivering office fit-out and refurbishment projects for private sector clients. With an array of nominations and accolades under belt, she received Atkins Presidents Award 2018, finalist for BCO NextGen Rising Star L&SE 2019 and awarded Faithful+Gould’s Employee of the Year in 2019. Her diverse qualifications in project management, structural engineering and architecture coupled with a personal interest in photography, she has a keen appreciation for creative design and an eye for detail.

Vasiliki Bowler, MRICS
Vasiliki Bowler, a Senior Project Manager at Faithful+Gould, represents their Corporate Real Estate Forum and digital services. She specialises in client and stakeholder management, building prosperous relationships around her. Having recently been awarded the CIOB Rising Star Award, she now acts as a mentor, supporting professional development within Faithful+Gould as an APC supervisor and guest assessor. From school, to studying architecture to delivering fantastic construction projects – Vasiliki is passionate about the arts (visualisations, graphics, and photography to name a few) and appreciates its power to generate emotion and dialogue.

Thank you to Faithful+Gould for sponsoring the photography competition. Look out for the rest of the esteemed judges on the panel being announced before the conference! If you are thinking of entering the 2022 Conference Photography competition, take a look at some inspiration from around Manchester on Instagram:

We look forward to seeing what you capture while taking in the culture and sights at the conference! Enter and win up to £1000 in cash prizes. Learn more here.

Alex Slatter, Associated Architects (Chair)
Rosie Cotterill, Turley (Vice-Chair)

Andrew Bloxham, Core 5
Steve Townsend, Associated Architects
Amelia Hardman, Eversheds Sutherland
Justin Ford, Bruntwood
Will Higgins, Knight Frank
Ross Jones, CBRE
Ian Keeling, Cundall
Joe Vale, RLF

Learn more about the BCO NextGen here.

The BCO Annual Conference provides a wonderful opportunity to meet up with your peers and connect with new people to build your professional network. We have a busy 3 days lined up, but there will also be plenty of opportunities to socialise, relax and enjoy Manchester.

Make sure you’ve checked off your ‘To Do’ list:

If you have already registered to attend but have not chosen your agenda, you can log in to the booking system and select ‘Edit Registration’.

Leading Light, Manchester | Photography Competition 2022

It is easy to see why Manchester is thought of as the UK’s second city. Always pioneering new ways of working and thinking, its world-famous art and photography scene is no exception.

Delegates are invited to enter the 2022 Photography Competition for a chance to get your hands on one of our cash prizes. All skill levels are welcome, so remember to snap some photos on your camera or smartphone as you navigate your way around the city.

There will be innumerable photo opportunities – think architectural and urban life, vibrant arts, culture, and picturesque views of this modern cosmopolitan powerhouse.

Entrants can submit up to three photos adhering to the theme: Leading Light, Manchester. Submission deadline is 20 June 2022.

Click here for more information and competition T&C’s

We are proud to be working with Natural Capital Partners to make this event CarbonNeutral®. This means that the emissions produced from heating, lighting, waste, supplier, and organiser travel have been balanced out by supporting carbon finance projects which reduce the equivalent amount of CO2.

Alongside our carbon offset scheme, the Conference is made more sustainable through our choice of partners for accommodation, events, and transport.

We are delighted that delegates have been quick to secure tickets now that bookings for the 2022 BCO Annual Conference are open.

Not only will delegates have the opportunity to consider and discuss topical issues with their peers old and new, but each afternoon will be packed with the chance to explore this modern city and its stunning buildings – so you’ll have a busy agenda to plan in advance. If you haven’t already done so, secure your ticket via the conference booking page. Use the programme planner and download this year’s conference brochure for help in choosing activities, discussions, seminars, and tours.

We are also pleased to confirm that the conference has been CPD Certified (10.5 hours), so you can now meet your CPD requirements whilst enjoying top speakers, visiting Manchester’s world-class office designs, and networking with like-minded individuals.

Let us know what you are looking forward to on our social media channels using:

Wondering where to stay? Take advantage of our special room rates

If you haven’t yet booked your accommodation, we have reserved a limited number of rooms at preferential rates. Take a look at the six varied options and secure your room directly with the hotel of your choice by quoting the booking reference listed on our website. The availability of rooms with preferential rates will be limited from mid March onwards. We therefore recommend that you make your reservations at the earliest opportunity.

NextGen Early Birds

For BCO NextGen members (those aged 35 and under), nearly three quarters of our heavily discounted Early Bird tickets have been booked. Once these are gone, the full ticket price will apply. For the first time in 2022, there is a NextGen programme, including a 5k Running Tour, Wellness Lunch, Mentoring, and alternative networking sessions. Book your place or find out about membership and how to apply.

This week, we are celebrating the amazing women in our industry as part of International Women’s Day and Women in Construction week; giving us the perfect opportunity to shine the spotlight on the outstanding women speaking at the Discussion Sessions during the BCO Conference in June:

Joanne Roney OBE: Chief Executive of Manchester City Council since April 2017, Joanne is driving the Council through the fundamental changes to Health and Social Care. In 2009 she was awarded an OBE for services to local government, and in September 2021 was named the Local Authority Chief Executive of the Year at the annual MJ (Municipal Journal) Awards.

Becca Heron: Strategic Director of Growth and Development at Manchester City Council. Becca has a key role in the delivery of the ambitions set out in the Our Manchester strategy, leading the city’s recovery following the pandemic, building on the successes of the last two decades to drive inclusive growth that will ensure the city continues to be one of the most exciting destinations in Europe to live, work and play.

Rt Hon. Ruth Davidson MSP: Ruth is a journalist, broadcaster, author and politician. She served for eight years as leader of the Scottish Conservatives, during which time she transformed the party’s prospects, leading to its greatest electoral results in 35 years. As the first openly gay leader of a major political party in the UK, and the first party leader to give birth while in office, Ruth has broken barriers throughout her time in public life.

Bronwen Maddox: Director of the Institute for Government, the think tank that aims to improve the effectiveness of government. Bronwen previously served as Editor and CEO of the influential current affairs magazine, Prospect – which both explains City thinking to policy makers and helps the financial community navigate the geo-political landscape. Born in the US, Bronwen is also author of the acclaimed In Defence of America.

Despina Katsikakis: Global Head of Workplace at Cushman & Wakefield. For over 35 years Despina has led innovation, research and implementation of transformative workplace environments for global corporates and exemplary real estate developments for investors worldwide. Despina is the BCO Junior Vice President and regularly lectures, whilst also writing and contributing to media, research and publications on the future of the workplace.

Secure your place at this year’s Cycle Challenge

There are a limited number of places available for the BCO Cycle Challenge 202 2. Don’t miss the opportunity to join us on a spectacular ride, exploring the beautiful scenery of the Chilterns and Northamptonshire, before cycling through the West Midlands, Cannock Chase AONB and then onto Stafford before making the final stage of the ride to the conference in Manchester. The ride is fully supported by a professional cycle support company, with the emphasis being on completing the challenge together, whilst networking and socialising with like-minded people from the industry. Nobody gets left behind and stronger riders will always be on hand to support.