We are delighted to announce that Northstowe House has been shortlisted for a 2020 BCO Award. The flagship office and exhibition space forms a new south eastern base for the UK Government’s housing agency, Homes England. The building is located within phase 2 of the new town of Northstowe to the north of Cambridge. The BCO awards programme recognises the highest quality developments and sets the standard for excellence in the national office sector.

The 620 sq.m open plan office building provides a modern, purpose-built office environment together with meeting rooms, breakout spaces, conference facilities and a ground level multi-use space for public consultation events, exhibitions and presentations as the Northstowe development progresses. Manufactured offsite by The McAvoy Group, the two-storey building has been constructed using a full modular system, reducing construction time and disruption.

The design of the building was inspired by the heritage of the rural Cambridgeshire Fenland location, on the former RAF Oakington barracks. The focal feature is the dramatic architectural form of the roof canopy, manufactured by local craftspeople using woven willow hurdles – traditionally used as fencing enclosures within the Cambridgeshire Fens - set within steel frames. The covered area below offers an outdoor working and socialising space on two levels. This is designed in response to aspirations within the Government’s Healthy New Towns Programme. The canopy protects the terrace from the elements and creates shading over the internal glazed atrium, circulation and breakout spaces.

The regional awards will be announced at a ceremony in Birmingham on 20th March 2020.