Keynsham’s recently opened Civic Centre has been named as the best corporate workplace in the South West, Thames Valley and South Wales by the British Council for Offices (BCO).
The building, pictured, which replaced a number of outdated 1960s buildings in the town centre, won the award in the BCO’s regional property sector awards which recognise top quality office design and functionality and set the standard for excellence in the regional and national office sector. 
The judges’ unanimous verdict was that the centre was an excellent response to the brief set by Bath & North East Somerset Council to provide a one-stop shop for local people with joined-up council services.
The 68,000 sq ft building houses council offices, a library, and ground floor retail that wraps around two new pedestrian streets designed to accommodate street markets. Almost half the site is dedicated to public realm.
It was designed by the Bristol office of global architects Aedas. Local blue lias stone was used, while the offices above are clad in standing seam brass to reflect Keynsham’s historic involvement in the brass industry.
The project has also achieved an A rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and targeted a Display Energy Certificate (DEC) A rating, achieved through a cleverly designed natural ventilation strategy, a large area of solar energy panels and a hybrid cross-laminated timber frame.
Judges said the building not only provided an environmentally sustainable, low maintenance and flexible work place, its design was well considered, modern and attractive.
Judging chairman John Wright of architects Stride Treglown said: “The winning Keynsham project excels as a flexible and sustainable civic workplace that also delivers regeneration to the local community.”
BCO chief executive Richard Kauntze added: “The Keynsham Civic Centre is a great example of how a well-considered workplace can have a positive impact beyond the immediate workforce. The development creates valuable new space for the public to enjoy, while combining a strong environmental consciousness with design flair.”
The awards, now in their seventh year, were presented at a dinner held at At-Bristol and attended by nearly 300 of the country’s top designers, developers, architects and occupiers.
The winners now go on to compete in the national awards in October.
