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NextGen Competitions

The BCO NextGen Ideas Project Competition

Each year, the BCO NextGen Competition invites NextGen members to present their boldest, most innovative ideas for the future workspace. We want you to dig deep – the most revolutionary ideas will change the world of offices for everyone.

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BCO NextGen Ideas Project Competitions

BCO NextGen Competition 2024 - Finalists

Robin Ellis, Graven

Robin Ellis has extensive experience working in the private and public sectors, specialising in workplace architecture and interiors at Graven. Robin also has a wide range of experience in construction project management, community development and active transport, all of which inform her understanding of how people live and interact with the built environment. In addition to her role as a designer, Robin acts as Graven’s Sustainability Champion, deepening the studio’s expertise of the lifecycle impacts of materials, processes and products.

Laura Hennessy, McBains

Laura is a highly skilled Quantity Surveyor at McBains, known for her technical proficiency, innovative problem-solving, and unwavering commitment to quality. Since joining McBains, she has played a key role in several high-profile projects, including the award-winning refurbishment of NatWest’s One Spinningfields Square office in Manchester. Her dedication to sustainability ensured the project met its environmental goals and achieved RICS SKA gold accreditation.

Laura’s expertise extends to a number of Programmes, where her knowledge of sustainable construction practices and materials is pivotal in selecting cost-effective, high-performance solutions. Her detailed risk assessments and strategic planning have been instrumental in the success of these initiatives.

Clients consistently praise Laura for her professionalism, responsiveness, and dedication to delivering high-quality results. Her meticulous attention to detail and effective stakeholder engagement have earned her the trust and repeat business of clients.

A natural team player, as a football outside of work, Laura’s collaborative approach fosters a positive work environment and inspires creativity among her colleagues. Beyond her project work, Laura actively contributes to the surveying industry, attending events as a member of the British Council for Offices and supporting internal APC candidates as a mentor.

Laura’s achievements exemplify excellence in quantity surveying, leadership, and a deep commitment to sustainability. Her ability to deliver complex projects, support her colleagues, and advocate for the profession makes her a standout professional in her field.

Kevin Leung, Fletcher Priest Architects

Kevin Leung is an ARB licensed architect with experience across residential, commercial, retail, hospitality and master planning sectors. Grew up in Hong Kong, Kevin moved to study at the Architectural Association. Since then he has worked in the UK for over a decade, utilising his multi-national viewpoint as a tool to inform his approach to design. Currently focusing on adaptive re-use and retrofit projects in the UK, Kevin has also left his mark on projects in Europe, China and the Middle East.

Since joining Fletcher Priest Architects in 2023, Kevin has played a pivotal role in key projects, including the Oxford North Masterplan, Cycle Pavilion and Phase 1A development and recently the 55 Old Broad Street development in London, honing his skills on sustainable and innovative design solutions.

Ashleigh Love, Space Solutions

Ashleigh Love has been working in the commercial office design industry for 6 years, having graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design with a First Class Honours in Interior & Environmental Design in 2018.

Since joining Space Solutions in 2022, Ashleigh has been involved in a wide range of projects in the workplace. Her responsibilities include developing inspiring concepts and considered design solutions, ensuring client aspirations and needs are met. Professionally, Ashleigh enjoys seeing the whole process of a project, from the initial concepts and ideas stage to the final on site construction. As well as carrying out her daily assignments, Ashleigh also helps drive the company’s Social Wellbeing Group, coordinating activities throughout the year to promote mental wellbeing within the office.

In her spare time, Ashleigh enjoys cycling and running – having recently signed up for a half marathon this September.

Lina Mutanhaurwa, Turner & Townsend

Lina is a highly skilled and versatile Project Management leader with a diverse skill set acquired from her experience in the Architecture, Design & Construction Industry across the UK and Europe. Her unique combination of these multidisciplinary skills and her expertise in Project Management have transformed her from an architect to a project leader who consistently delivers successful outcomes.

Lina thrives in challenging environments where she creates innovative and unique solutions that align with budget, timeline, and quality standards. Her academic and professional qualifications, which include an MSc in Project & Infrastructure Management, a BA (Hons) in Architecture, RICS membership (currently pursuing chartership), and APM PMQ certification, augment her capacity for impeccable end-to-end project delivery.

At Turner & Townsend, Lina has led and contributed to a number of cutting-edge office projects for some of our most prestigious clients. Her clear communication skills and financial acumen ensure that projects remain on track, while her ability to adapt to suit the audience showcases her understanding of working with diverse nationalities and practices. However, Lina is not merely a Senior Project Manager; she is a leader who promotes collaboration, mentors emerging leaders, and advocates for diversity and inclusion.

Beyond her management role, Lina delivers career-ready skills to students through social value initiatives, including impactful masterclasses. Her adaptability and ability to quickly assimilate key project information from the outset have proven invaluable to clients. Regardless of the challenge, Lina quickly becomes an essential member of the project team, demonstrating commitment and passion, always prioritising the client’s best interest.

Kiymet Shevket, Foster + Partners

Kiymet is a Workplace Consultant at Foster + Partners with experience in research and strategy, particularly with an interest in the wellbeing of individuals in the built environment. Projects she has worked on spans from sectors such as Workplace and Healthcare where she portrays a multidisciplinary skillset in research, data analysis and design strategy.  

Kiymet has graduated from her Masters with a First Class Honours in Interior Architecture, completed a Certificate in Healthier Buildings and Sustainable Buildings, and has undertaken a several week course in Neuroarchitecture taught by leading researchers.  

Her interest towards understanding how design can positively impact how people feel, move and behave stems from when Kiymet moved schools, houses and countries all by the age of 12.

In her spare time, Kiymet strives to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies, attend industry events and enjoys learning how to ice skate.

BCO NextGen Ideas Project 2024

Entries are now closed.

 

 

Transforming the Future of the Workplace

The BCO NextGen Ideas Project is back, and we are challenging YOU to present your boldest, most innovative, and creative ideas for the future workspace. We encourage you to dig deep and put forward your most revolutionary ideas yet centring your focus on how we could revolutionise the future workplace for everyone.

 

Why Enter?

This initiative will offer an incredible opportunity to showcase your ideas to not only the BCO but also the wider workplace industry. All finalists will receive state-of-the-art public speaking training and mentorship from both established industry professionals and last year’s finalists. You will have the opportunity to develop and present your ideas and flex your newfound skills at a TedTalk Style event later this year, attended by both BCO Members and wider industry professionals. This is a truly unmissable opportunity to nurture your confidence, develop your ideas, expand your network, and in turn, advance your career.

The finalists will also receive access to a series of exciting press opportunities to aid the promotion of their submissions. These will include:

  • Pitching an exclusive feature with a national title + winner interviews
  • Sharing the images with national and broader media and on social media
  • Integrating contestants into BCO Content Strands (e.g. BCO Voices / New Normal)
  • Developing your elevator pitch with opportunities to pitch to key industry leaders
  • Expanding your research connections within your areas of expertise

 

 

Key Competition Dates for your Diary:

Competition Launch:

  • Tuesday, 30 April 2024

Deadline for Submissions:

  • Tuesday, 11 June 2024

Top 6 Finalists announced:

  • Thursday, 4 July 2024

Public Speaking Training:

  • Thursday, 11 July 2024

Finalist Showcase event:

  • Thursday, 3 October 2024

 

 

Kindly sponsored by:

 

 

 

BCO NextGen Ideas Project 2023

Entries are now closed.

 

 

Transforming the Future of the Workplace

The BCO NextGen Ideas Project is back, and we are challenging YOU to present your boldest, most innovative, and creative ideas for the future workspace. We encourage you to dig deep and put forward your most revolutionary ideas yet centring your focus on how we could revolutionise the future workplace for everyone.  

DOWNLOAD THE FULL BRIEF & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS HERE

DOWNLOAD THE SUBMISSION FORM HERE*

*Submissions should be emailed to the BCO at mail@bco.org.uk.

Why Enter?

This initiative will offer an incredible opportunity to showcase your ideas to not only the BCO but also the wider workplace industry. All finalists will receive state of the art public speaking training with Ginger Communications, and mentorship from both established industry professionals and last year’s finalists. You will have the opportunity to develop and present your ideas and flex your newfound skills at a TedTalk Style event later this year, attended by both BCO Members and wider industry professionals. This is a truly unmissable opportunity to nurture your confidence, develop your ideas, expand your network and in turn advance your career.

The finalists will also receive access to a series of exciting press opportunities to aid the promotion of their submissions. These will include:

  • Pitching an exclusive feature with a national title + winner interviews
  • Pitching an opinion piece to a business title
  • Sharing the images with national and broader media and on social media
  • Integrating contestants into BCO Content Strands (BCO Voices / New Normal)
  • Developing your elevator pitch with opportunities to pitch to key industry leaders
  • Develop research connections within your areas of expertise

 

 

Key Competition Dates

  • Launch: Wednesday, 31 May 2023
  • Submission Deadline: Wednesday 5, July 2023

 

Kindly sponsored by: 

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About the BCO

The British Council for Offices’ (BCO’s) mission is to research, develop and communicate best practice in all aspects of the office sector. It delivers this by providing a forum for the discussion and debate of relevant issues. Its members are all organisations involved in creating, acquiring or occupying office space, whether architects, lawyers, surveyors, financial institutions or public agencies. The BCO works to advance the collective understanding of its members, enabling them to work together to create more effective office space.

BCO NextGen Competition 2023 - Finalists

Luke Askwith, Gensler

Luke is an architect, leading Gensler’s Office Developers practice area in Europe. Since joining Gensler in 2016, Luke has developed a passion for the future of the workplace – in his role as Practice Area leader, he shapes the firm’s thought leadership and conversations around how future offices will shape the way we work, drawing on Gensler’s research and insights from their clients.

Luke has worked on multiple innovative office projects in London, Europe and the Middle East, including Gensler’s own European headquarters at No.6 Moretown, London. In addition to these projects, he has led research projects exploring the low embodied carbon future of office building construction and setting sustainability targets and strategies for 2030. Luke is currently on the NLA Tall Buildings Expert Panel, shaping policy around sustainable tall buildings in London.

Harriet Browning, Civic Engineers

I have been working as a Structural Engineer since 2015, gaining experience in a wide range of building design including retrofit, low carbon design, new build and masterplans.

I am a Chartered member of the Institute of Structural Engineers and work as an Associate at Civic Engineers in Central London. I believe engineers are uniquely placed to provide solutions to the challenges facing society and help people to lead healthier and happier lives.

I am passionate about finding innovative ways to design sustainable buildings and create more with less. My work on retrofit projects has given me a detailed understanding of the capacity of our existing building stock and how we can harness a building’s untapped potential to create exciting places for people to work, live and interact with. These places include the buildings and ‘beyond the front door’ – providing high-quality public realm and climate resilient communities

Thomas Cran, Sheppard Robson

Having re-joined Sheppard Robson as an Architectural Assistant around 2 years ago, I completed my part 3 earlier this year, qualifying as an Architect. My experience to date has been predominantly on retrofit office projects within the city across a range of work stages.

Since returning to the practice, I have been involved with the in-house sustainability team, primarily in the social value working group, being involved with various engagement events on several projects.

In my post-graduate studies, my dissertation and thesis explored industrial inclusion and retention in both Belfast and Old Kent Road, in addition to a group project working with a local community group to develop better short, medium, and long-term sustainability strategies for the area of Porter Brook in Sheffield.

 

John Hunter, Hoare Lea

John is an enthusiastic and passionate Mechanical Engineer at Hoare Lea. After graduating from Imperial College London with a First in Mechanical Engineering in 2021, he is coming up to two years in the industry, having worked on a range of projects in workplace as well as high-end and student residential. His main work has involved the detailed design for a Cat-B Fitout of a large workplace in Central London, requiring design and coordination with various stakeholders as well as meeting testing sustainability and technology targets.

Professionally, John enjoys seeing the whole life-cycle of projects, from the brainstorming of pre-planning concepts right through to final on-site witnessing, while considering the potential effects on people and the planet throughout.

He is active within Hoare Lea’s London office as both Social Lead and STEM Coordinator and has redesigned the work experience programme, while partnering with local Camden schools to promote STEM futures and open engineering opportunities to young people from all backgrounds. In his spare time, he enjoys playing hockey and cycling – and recently competed in an Ironman 70.3 triathlon.

Will Mayes, Laryd Design

Will is the Founder of Layrd Design, a Commercial Interior Design studio based in Cambridge. He has over 10 years’ experience in the design industry and founded Layrd 4 years ago with the vision to create a Bold and Creative team offering design services for Workplace, Gyms, and Hospitality spaces across the UK.

Alan Stuart, Atelier Ten

Alan Stuart holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and began his career at Atelier Ten, Glasgow in January 2017 as a Graduate Electrical Engineer. He has worked on projects throughout the UK in multiple sectors. Alan Stuart currently holds the position of Associate Electrical Engineer within the Manchester Atelier Ten office. In early 2023, he obtained his Chartership from CIBSE.

Alan Stuart is recognized as a WiredScore and SmartScore Accreditied Professional, leveraging his expertise in smart buildings and knowledge of SmartScore requirements, he actively contributes to the development, creation, and optimisation of intricate smart building solutions. Additionally, he specialises in vertical transportation and devises strategies across diverse sectors as an in-house expert in this field.

BCO NextGen Ideas Project 2022

Entries for 2022’s competition are now closed, but make sure to join us on Thursday 29 September 2022, at Storey Club, 100 Liverpool Street, for our exciting finale, and to support our six finalists as they put their public speaker training to the test!

 

 

The BCO NextGen Ideas Project is a brand new concept for 2022 — a completely rejuvenated, reimagined iteration of our previous ‘Design Competition’. At it’s core, this is an idea generation competition — the parameters are what you make them. We are challenging YOU to present your boldest, most innovative and creative ideas for the future workspace. Centring your focus on the requirements of the modern office, we want you to put forward your most revolutionary ideas yet.

For 2022, we have decided to make a substantial change — the submission is now individual, as opposed to team based. This will encourage you to dig deep and own your potential to transform the future of the workspace, for everyone. Please note, you must be a member of BCO NextGen in order to enter.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL BRIEF & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS HERE

DOWNLOAD THE SUBMISSION FORM HERE*

*Submissions should be emailed to the BCO at mail@bco.org.uk. ENTRIES NOW CLOSED

About the BCO

The British Council for Offices’ (BCO’s) mission is to research, develop and communicate best practice in all aspects of the office sector. It delivers this by providing a forum for the discussion and debate of relevant issues. Its members are all organisations involved in creating, acquiring or occupying office space, whether architects, lawyers, surveyors, financial institutions or public agencies. The BCO works to advance the collective understanding of its members, enabling them to work together to create more effective office space.

BCO NextGen Competition 2022 - Finalists

Amelia Sweeney, Turner & Townsend

Amelia is an enthusiastic, methodical, and passionate Senior Project Manager who has successfully delivered multiple high profile fit out Projects in the Corporate Real Estate sector.

Since graduating from the University of Leeds with a BA (Hons) in Environment and Business in 2015, Amelia has accrued seven years’ experience leading fast paced CAT A/B fit out Projects across the London market. She is accustomed to delivering Projects in both new build and occupied buildings on behalf of a wide range of clients including; Deutsche Bank, LabTech, Unilever, and two major international banks.

As a chartered professional, who has successfully executed Projects on behalf of both landlords and tenants, Amelia drives a collaborative team approach. She is able to partner with industry experts, to provide client tailored solutions to complex Project challenges.

Amelia champions service excellence and prides herself on her can-do attitude, leaving no stone unturned. Amelia demonstrates a natural ability to adapt to time critical Project demands, in an industry in which two days are never the same!

Anna Tsoumi, Hilson Moran

3 items that could describe me: Passionate Sustainability Consultant, with an academic background in civil engineering and ex-professional volleyball player. I hold a 5 year MEng in civil engineering (CEng). I decided to focus my career on a discipline responsive to the climate emergency and community. This lead to UCL and the MSc of Environmental Design and Engineering.

The last 6 years, I have been working as a Sustainability Consultant mainly on commercial (office) properties, in London, with high profile developers. My role is to advise design teams and clients about the design criteria, sustainability targets and how they can push the boundaries and achieve an excellent environmental performance. My experience includes a big variety of office typologies from new built high rise to major listed refurbishments with 20 Ropemaker, 50 Finsbury and 14-21 Holborn Viaduct being a few representative examples.

Anoushka Pacquette, WILL+Partners

My name is Anoushka Pacquette, I am passionate about pushing the boundaries in interior design and love nothing more than thinking outside the box, developing research, and introducing creative design solutions into how the human experience can evolve. I design with people in mind.

I am delighted to be a Creative Interior Designer with WILL+Partners and I adore being a part of such an amazing team, where I can thrive and grow. I am very fortunate that through the WILL Academy, the research arm of WILL+Partners, I am actively developing further research into the ‘Digital Detox Zone’ which I am very excited about. During my time as an undergraduate at the University of Westminster, I was captivated by the idea of a ‘Digital Detox Zone’ and this where my initial research and exploration first began.

As an Interior Designer at WILL+Partners, I have the incredible opportunity to work with the team on amazing projects such as One YMCA, Shell, and a variety of confidential banks. My experience on these projects has allowed me to think in more depth about the Human Experience, Wellness and Sustainability and consider how I can introduce and integrate my idea for a ‘Digital Detox Zone’ to further enhance the workplace environment for the benefit of all people who use the space.

Freya McGhee, BW

I joined BW in late 2019, with approximately six months of working ‘the old normal’ before we went into the pandemic. I graduated with a degree in chemistry and started my role with no knowledge of the construction industry. It’s not come in handy since, expect the occasional use when talking about offices converting into life science buildings

Using the speaking and networking skills I acquired from performing on the stand-up comedy London circuit for two years, I decided to start a career in business development.

I worked in telesales for just under two years. During the pandemic, I had to adapt my technique towards clients to fit to a work from home environment; I then progressed to a Business Development Manager. My curiosity and dedication for understanding client needs and the current market gives me a unique insight that I share with occupiers, developers, and asset managers.

Jessica Spencer, Cartwright Pickard Architects

Jessica Spencer (MArch, RIBA) is an Architect working at Cartwright Pickard in Manchester, having graduated with distinction from the Manchester School of Architecture in 2017 and qualifying as an Architect in 2019. Since then, Jessica has worked on several high profile commercial office and build-to-rent residential projects in Manchester, Leeds and Stoke-on-Trent. Currently she is the Project Architect for Island, a Grade A office development in the centre of Manchester for HBD that is on site with Bowmer & Kirkland. This scheme is targeting net zero carbon (in use), BREEAM Excellent, Nabers 5* and WELL enabled. Jessica also volunteers with the RIBA as a mentor for architecture students and is a committee member of UrbanistasNW, an advocacy group for women in the built environment.

Timothy Newcombe, Cundall

Timothy Newcombe, Mechanical Engineer at Cundall, joined Cundall in 2019. Since then he has helped lead the design on several workplace projects that focus on low carbon solutions. He has developed operational carbon simulations to reduce building energy use and has been recognised for the creation of a digital sketch tool to compare HVAC systems. In 2021, he was awarded both the BCO Graduate of the Year Award and CIBSE West Midlands Young Engineer of the Year Award for his dedication to educating young students in STEM, maintaining CPD at Cundall and providing net-zero carbon thought leadership.

2025: Re-imagining the Post-Pandemic Workplace

The BCO NextGen Workplace Competition 2020 has now drawn to a close.

2020 has been a turbulent year for the industry. It has brought forward a series of new challenges for all; from a global pandemic, tackling the impending Climate Crisis and addressing ongoing issues around Equality and Inclusivity.

That is why the BCO NextGen is thrilled to be bringing back the BCO NextGen Competition for a second time in 2020. First launched in 2017, this year we ask the BCO NextGen membership to look beyond the Pandemic and share their vision of the Post Pandemic Office – the Office in 2025.

As the office sector faces seas of change, we challenge you to imagine a better future. Entrants are encouraged to think outside of the box to present innovative and thought-provoking solutions that bring to life how the workspace may change over the next five years.

 
Take a look at the competition brief before getting started.

Competition Brief 2020

Please Note: The BCO NextGen Workplace Competition 2020 is now closed.

What we’re looking for

Entrants must be BCO NextGen members. NextGen members are under the age of 35 and enjoy discounted membership, with students able to join for free.

Applicants are welcome to enter the competition individually or as a multidisciplinary team of up to three participants and will need to submit a 500 words summarizing the idea, one main image featuring vision of the post pandemic workplace, one support image with up to 5 diagrams, charts and images explaining the idea and submitter information. We ask that you capture a diverse perspective to find new and innovative solutions to your chosen challenge.

Entrants are free to choose their own theme related to the current global state, or one of the below:

  • Redefining the purpose of the physical office space: Why work in the office when you can work anywhere?
  • Shifting work patterns: The rise of working remotely and more flexibly with teams connected via technology.
  • Increased localism: The potential for suburban hubs with blended uses, to support traditional city office locations.
  • Reduced densities of office buildings: Opportunities for alternative uses or sustainable re-use to drive greater utilisation and value.
  • Designing Inclusively: Intergenerational working, mentorship and work experience opportunities.
  • Increased data tracking, gathering and analysis: To ensure the office is a safe environment to visit.
  • Hygienic and healthy buildings: What they require and the role of new technologies to accelerate this

 

Entry Requirements

Stage 1 Submission

  1. Written Idea: 500 Words Text

(WHY: What challenge(s) are you addressing? WHAT + WHERE is the physical solution are you proposing?)

2.  One Main Image: Featuring Vision of Post Pandemic Workplace

(At A3 .jpg or pdf, presentation quality + digital submission)

3.  One Supporting Image

(With up to 5 diagrams, charts, images visually explaining idea (At A3 .jpg or pdf, presentation quality + digital submission)

4.  Submitter Information

Including name(s) of all team members, contact detail(s), and title of vision

Stage 2 Submission

Entrants that have been shortlisted will then present their ideas at ‘Pecha Kucha’ style event/webinar, with the competition’s judging panel announcing a winner at the end.

Judging Criteria

  • Creativity + Innovation 30%
  • Design Quality 30%
  • Brief Response 40%
    • Response to pandemic
    • Diversity + Inclusivity Consideration 
    • Environmental Impact Consideration
    • Deliverable and Scalable

 

Key Dates

Please take note of the following key dates for your diary:

Competition opens: Thursday 17 September

Entry deadline: 5pm, Thursday 5 November (Extended)

Second stage shortlist revealed: Monday 16 November

Final Stage: 4.30pm, Wednesday 9 December

Why Take Part? 

Given the current climate, we really want to encourage our NextGen community to use this opportunity to drive creativity and focus on the positives of a new working world post-pandemic.

The winning and shortlisted teams will receive access to a series of exciting press opportunities alongside integrating their ideas into the BCO content strands. The shortlisted teams will win the opportunity to present their ideas to industry experts within the BCO community and to lead a BCO webinar presenting their proposed vision.

2020 WINNERS AND FINALISTS

JOINT WINNERS: Futurework & Scattered Space

Futurework
  • Chris Radley, Fletcher Priest Architects
  • Sam Ki, Fletcher Priest Architects
  • Benjamin Koslowski, Fletcher Priest Architects

 Theme: A network of connected places where people work

Responding to the rapid shift in how people work following the pandemic, this concept revolves around a network of connected spaces that allow people to choose where to work. They can work closer to home and high street shops, become co-working spaces or satellite offices, where colleagues can meet and enjoy the company of others. This can support local businesses and help high street shops and cafés thrive, but with people still gravitating to city centers to interact on a larger scale. Workplaces become destinations for teamwork, building communities, collaborating, and sharing ideas. The submission includes thought on building smartly and efficiently, reworking and extending existing buildings and limiting carbon impact, as well as the positive impact on environment and health.

Scattered Space
  • Gina Colley, Threesixty Architecture

Theme: Increased Localism

ScatteredSpace proposes a vision for workplaces in 2025. Using the ScatteredSpace model, businesses will build an agile network of premises to best serve their employees’ lifestyles. Employees tend to cluster in peripheral towns and neighbourhoods to the city. Businesses will retain a central Hive connected to several high street Hubs. The Hubs offer a local, private, secure workspace within vacant retail units; the missing link between working from home and the city centre office. Businesses will have the flexibility to relocate Hubs in response to employee cluster fluctuations. The proposal considers important aspects involving equality, simple and adaptable fit-outs, the rebalancing of retail and commercial buildings within cities and town centres, the viability of the idea, as well as its sustainability.

 

 

 

 

 

RUNNERS UP: A Day to Night Outfit, The BCO Home Office and The High Street Hub

A Day to Night Outfit
  • Lucy Sutcliffe, Arup
  • Iona Norton, Arup

Theme: Integration of the office into the community to fulfill a social need

The team propose that the “ideal” office of the future would be designed to optimise office space for both day and night use and support the reduction of homelessness. The sudden exodus of office workers from London’s centre has made the contrast in the city stark: areas of sparsely occupied glass buildings, and a sudden recharge of activity in residential areas. Even before a global pandemic, offices stood empty for a large proportion of the time – between tenancies, on the weekends, and, importantly – overnight. These spaces can be serviced without anyone feeling the benefit, whilst at the same time London has many countless people sleeping on the streets in threatening conditions. The concept considers the sustainability of the design, the strategies that would need to be adapted for this new model, the fit-out and how to make a time-shared tenancy work.

The BCO Home Office
  • Duncan Bell, Buro Happold
  • Katerina Anagnostopoulou Politou, HLW International
  • Ilina Kroushovski, Turner & Townsend

Theme: Redefining the purpose of the physical office space/Shifting work patterns

  • With an eye to the future, the team believe certain interventions could be made to make working from a home a sustainable decision post-pandemic. Hence, they seek to question how the role of the BCO in the design of workspaces could be adjusted for this new environment. Envisioning the BCO at the forefront of standard setting for the new work life environment, the team anticipate a hypothetical BCO Home Office Guide and Specifications to play a leading role in the definition of home offices. The intention is to lay out a toolkit that companies could roll out to employees working from home, establishing a base level of equality amongst employees, determining three new home office typologies that help to redistribute how space is allocated for different functions, with a focus towards more collaborative workspaces, interactive presentation suites and meeting space.
The High Street Hub
  • Tyler Holdcroft, Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt
  • Kate van der Driessche, Argent
  • Scarlett Franklin, XCO2

Theme: Town-Centric Reuse and Regeneration

In response to the current global state, the team’s vision of town-centric is focused on two outcomes of the pandemic: the increase in home-working and the economic effect of Covid-19 on an already struggling town-centre retail sector. The High Street Hub is a response to traditional co-working spaces and develops this model through offering locally positioned workspaces with a focus on community regeneration, strategic reuse and retrofit. With less focus on desking and more on adaptable social and practical spaces, these new offices can provide added value to the high street. The different uses within are envisioned as a ‘kit of parts’ which can be tailored to the area, providing flexible interventions to repurpose existing buildings and rejuvenate high streets across the country.

MORE INFORMATION

NextGen Mentoring

Nextgen Awards

NextGen Membership

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