Boden UK HQ Wins BCO Regional award for ‘Refurbished/ Recycled Workspace’

Introba (formerly Elementa Consulting) are delighted to announce that one of our leading workplace projects ‘Boden’s UK HQ Refurbishment’, has been crowned winner of the ‘Refurbished/ Recycled Workplace’ category at the 2019 Regional BCO London Awards.

The infamous “Nice Clothes, Ugly Building” tagline is no more at global retailers Boden. Boden’s newly refurbished office promotes communication and staff integration through flexible, open-plan spaces – unrecognisable from its previous existence as a 1960’s building and rear disused warehouse. The clothing company, which sells to customers globally, have increasing staff numbers year on year due to successful market growth and therefore sought Introba’s services, along with the rest of the design team, to expand and develop their headquarter offices.

The extension of Boden’s current head office included refurbishing the previously occupied, 1960’s five storey building and additionally the warehouse to office conversion, located at the back of their current building. The warehouse conversion incorporates two mezzanine levels centred around two large atriums which has been seamlessly connected to the original workplace as one integrative office, with a glass roof spanning between the two buildings and the upper floors having connected floor plates. The aim for the new space is to encourage collaboration, a sense of community and allow “Town Hall” style presentations to take place. The placements of the workstations, departments and local amenities were all considered to help improve efficiency and productivity too.

Boden was keen to invest in wellbeing measures to improve productivity. The methods that were integrated included the creation of a maximised daylight space, good temperature control as well as increased fresh air rates above BCO recommendations, transforming the space into a fantastic working environment. Four large skylights approximately 4m x 3m have increased accessibility of daylight to occupants at the lower levels of the warehouse and reduce artificial lighting requirements and energy use during the day.

Brian Goldsmith, Project Principal leading the design, stated “When we were asked to tender for this exciting project, we knew from the start Boden required a clear strategy coupled with innovative techniques in order to transform the disused warehouse to modern standards, with wellbeing and improved staff retention metrics in mind. This complex project has required us to have a strong collaborative approach to deliver this truly transformational space within a demanding programme and budget. Today the project received its reward in winning the BCO Regional Award for Refurbished/Recycled Workplace. Well done to our client and all that worked on this project.”

Boden HQ will now compete against other regional winning projects within the Refurbished/ Recycled Workspace category in a bid to be crowned winner at the National Awards Dinner on the 1st October 2019. More information on the BCO awards can be found here.

Boden are opening up their space for BCO members to visit and network for one night only, for more information on this rare opportunity click here.