Sky Digital Centre of Excellence Leeds Building Award, Development Architect, News

Sky Digital Centre of Excellence in Leeds

BCO Innovation Award for Building Project in North England, UK – design by BDG architecture + design

12 Apr 2017

Sky Digital Centre of Excellence, Leeds

BCO Awards for Sky Digital Centre of Excellence in Leeds

Design: BDG architecture + design, Architects

INNOVATION FOR BDG ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN
at the British Council for Offices’ annual Northern Property Awards

Sky Digital Centre of Excellence designed by BDG architecture + design won the BCO Innovation Award, at a ceremony held on the 5th April 2016 at The Lowry Hotel in Salford.

photos © Gareth Gardner

The annual British Council for Offices (BCO) regional property sector awards recognise the best workplaces in the North of England, that demonstrate the highest quality and set the standard for excellence in the regional and national office sector.

Judges were unanimous in awarding the Sky Digital Centre of Excellence the BCO Innovation Award. The judges said the project reused and transformed an empty retail unit, incorporating a new mezzanine floor, into a vibrant and successful workplace. There was a high degree of risk taking as the incorporation of a mezzanine was especially hard, but the judges added that this has created a highly appealing work environment, able to help attract and retain the best staff in a very competitive market.

Judging Chairman, Andrew Woodhouse of Mott MacDonald, said: “This year’s BCO Northern Award winners are testament to the high standard demanded by occupiers, developers and suppliers of office space in the UK. The winners were hand selected from a strong group of entrants, and judged on an array of criteria including flexibility, sustainability, architectural flair and above all their effectiveness as a workplace. In a region of such calibre, each victor should be proud to be among the best.”

Neil Usher, Workplace Director, Property Services Group at Sky said:
“The simple, striking and vibrant space right on the waterfront is a natural fit with the building and its surroundings, and sets Sky apart as a fantastic place to work in Leeds. It’s up there with the most inspiring tech innovation spaces you’ll find anywhere right now.”

Colin Macgadie, Chief Creative Officer at BDG architecture + design, said:
“It is hugely rewarding to work with Sky who place innovation at the heart of it’s culture, and who recognised our approach to design that puts culture at the core of the workplace. To receive such prestigious award from the BCO is wonderful.”

This is the 14th year that the Regional Awards have been presented locally in the north, celebrating excellence in office space regionally, before all winners go on to compete at a national level at the National Awards in October.