Three SpaceInvader Projects Shortlisted for BCO Awards 2026 North
Three SpaceInvader workplace projects have been shortlisted for the British Council for Offices (BCO) Awards 2026, North of England, recognising design quality, sustainability and measurable impact across the commercial office sector.
The shortlisted projects span three distinct categories, Refurbished Recycled Workplace, Projects up to 2,500m², and Fit Out of Workplace, reflecting the breadth of our workplace design expertise across Manchester and the wider UK.
Refurbished lounge space at the Renold Building, Sister Manchester
Renold Building, Sister Manchester, Category: Refurbished Recycled Workplace
At Sister Manchester’s Renold Building, the brief centred on reuse rather than replacement. The retrofit retained and repurposed more than 95% of the existing FF&E, significantly reducing embodied carbon while extending the lifecycle of the building’s assets.
The design approach focused on circular workplace principles, proving that refurbishment can deliver both environmental responsibility and strong spatial identity. By working with what was already in place, the project demonstrates how sustainable workplace design can be commercially viable and architecturally robust.
Biophilic workplace lounge with curved seating and city views
Chancery Place, Manchester, Category: Projects up to 2,500m²
Chancery Place is a compact commercial workplace designed around real day-to-day behaviours. More than 60% of existing furniture was retained, reinforcing a pragmatic, sustainability-led approach.
Post-occupancy evaluation showed that 88% of users rated the space as excellent, confirming that good workplace design is measured not only in aesthetic outcomes but in lived experience. The project balances functionality, comfort and flexibility — key drivers in contemporary office interior design.
Breakout café space within a multinational legal workplace, designed to support informal connection
International Legal Workplace, No.1 St Michael’s Manchester, Category: Fit Out of Workplace
This international legal workplace at No.1 St Michael’s is rooted in engagement, inclusion and wellbeing. Developed through detailed consultation and behavioural insight, the design delivers a high-performing professional environment tailored to its users.
The project generated £3.1m+ in independently verified social value, embedding measurable impact into the delivery process. It reflects a broader shift in commercial interior design, where workplace strategy, inclusivity and long-term value sit alongside spatial quality.
The BCO Awards remain one of the most respected benchmarks in UK office design. Being shortlisted across three categories highlights the range of approaches required in today’s commercial sector, from deep retrofit and circular design to compact behavioural workplaces and large-scale professional fit outs.
Across all three projects, the common thread is clarity of purpose. Each workplace was shaped by its users, informed by measurable outcomes and designed for longevity. Retention and reuse were treated as opportunities rather than constraints, and social value was considered as integral as spatial experience.
Judges’ visits will take place on 18 and 19 February, ahead of the Northern Awards ceremony on 6 May 2026 at Kimpton Clocktower, Manchester. We will be sharing deeper insights into each shortlisted project over the coming weeks.
Discover how our commercial workplace design approach delivers measurable impact across office fit out and refurbishment projects here.