Interaction, the Bath-based workplace design-and-build firm, has won a prestigious national award for its ‘exceptional’ work on international law practice Osborne Clarke’s new flagship office in Bristol.
The firm headed the Fit Out Workplace category at the British Council for Offices’ (BCO) annual awards, which celebrate excellence across the UK office sector.
The award judges described Osborne Clarke’s office in the landmark Halo development, one of the UK’s most sustainable office schemes, as “a simply fantastic state-of-the-art workplace in an iconic Bristol building”.
They added that Interaction’s design put the law firm’s people and culture at the core of the new workplace, with sustainability, wellbeing, inclusion and staff effectiveness its founding principles.
Spanning 74,000 sq ft spread over the building’s top five floors, Osborne Clarke’s workplace includes indoor gardens that provide social and quiet areas for its 780 Bristol employees.
It also features a mix of flexible workspaces, a yoga and spin studio, and restaurant with a rooftop terrace, pictured above, with panoramic views.
The award organisers said: “With vibrant breakout areas, flexible workspaces and comfortable places to eat as well as exercise and relax, it can be assumed that Halo will be a very much desired place to work for years to come.”
In keeping with strict sustainability criteria, the Halo fit-out was designed with WELL Building and Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM) certifications in mind.
Sustainable materials were used throughout the workspace, including reclaimed clothing materials and recycled plastics.
The project previously topped the Fit Out of the Year category of the BCO’s South of England and South Wales Awards.
Interaction managing director Dieter Wood, pictured, fourth from left, celebrating victory with the Interaction team, said winning the national award was a huge honour and testament to the hard work, creativity and dedication of the project team.
“The Osborne Clarke project reflects what we stand for at Interaction – creating spaces that are beautiful, sustainable and that genuinely inspire the people who use them every day,” he added.
“It’s a very proud moment for Interaction.”
Privately owned Interaction has been creating workplaces for ambitious organisations since 1992.
Its recent projects in Bristol have included workplaces for international sustainable development and engineering consultancy Arup, fast-growing software development and digital services specialist Amdaris, cybersecurity firm Immersive Labs and FemTech business Elvie.
It also recently completed a design project for Bristol-headquartered law firm TLT’s relocated Manchester office – its third for the firm.
The BCO, which was established in 1990, is the UK’s leading forum for the discussion and debate of issues affecting the office sector.
Held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House hotel, London, its annual awards celebrated designs that demonstrate and drive best practice in office design, fit-out, operation, community engagement and sustainability.
