Keynsham Civic Centre The "Best of the Best" Workplace

The office was also recognised as the Best Corporate Workplace in the UK, and topped a list of six other award winners recognised for excellence in office space. These were:

Commercial Workplace: One St Peter's Square, Manchester

'Best of the Best' & Corporate Workplace: Keynsham Civic Centre and One Stop Shop, Market Walk, Keynsham

Fit Out of Workplace: PwC Edinburgh, Atria One, 144 Morrison Street, Edinburgh

Project up to 2,000m²: The Albus, 110 Brock Street, Glasgow

Refurbished/Recycled Workplace: 1 & 2 Stephen Street, London

Innovation: Living Planet Centre: WWF-UK Headquarters, Rufford House, Brewery Road, Woking

Test of Time: The Angel Building, 407 St John Street, London

The judges singled out Keynsham Civic Centre & One Stop Shop in recognition of the building providing an environmentally sustainable, low maintenance and flexible workspace, whilst acting as a catalyst for the regeneration of the town. The judges felt the Civic Centre clearly served the local community with half of the building given over to public realm, as well as providing valuable retail space to stimulate the revival of the town's High Street. As a workplace for the local council, the judges praised the building's impressive use of natural light to create an 'uplifting workspace' as well as the design of the office floors which lend themselves toward flexibility and encourage collaborative working. The team behind the building were also commended for conducting a thorough and impressive stakeholder engagement process, from the inception of the project through to completion.

Peter Crowther, Property Director at Bruntwood Estates and BCO National Awards Chairman, commented: "This is an inspirational development that improves working practices and offers much to the local community in terms of its public facilities and its form within the urban landscape. Whereas the scale and formality of a number of civic buildings can often serve to drive away the people they are designed to accommodate, this development provides a clear, accessible and inviting beacon of civic pride. To achieve all of this whilst also delivering such a low carbon building is remarkable."

Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, said: "The judges were unanimous in the opinion that the Keynsham Civic Centre & One Stop Shop is an excellent building that offers much to the local community. At a time where office space is in high demand, creating a dynamic workplace that delivers to both those using the space, and the community it forms part of, is more important than ever.

This year's winners should all be congratulated on creating workplaces that can inspire the industry to raise the bar once again."

For more information about the awards and the winners this year visit the BCO website (www.bco.org.uk). Entries for 2016's BCO Regional and National Awards programme open on Wednesday 7^th October 2015 and close on Friday 27^th November 2015.