Redevelopment of Former Bank of Scotland Mound Branch
BCO Award Winner 2 Oct 2007
HBoS Edinburgh - PR from Malcolm Fraser Architects 031007:
HBOS’ EDINBURGH HEADQUARTERS WINS TOP REGIONAL AWARD AT THE 2007 BRITISH COUNCIL FOR OFFICES AWARDS
HBOS’ headquarters, the Mound, Edinburgh, has won a regional award from the UK’s leading office industry organisation, the British Council for Offices (BCO), at the annual BCO awards ceremony held last night (Tuesday, 2nd October 2007) at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Park Lane.
Over 1,500 property professionals gathered to celebrate design, best practice and innovation in the active UK office sector and to witness the building win the Scottish regional award in the Refurbished/Recycled Workplace category.
The British Council for Offices Awards, now in their sixteenth year, are presented to projects in six categories: Corporate Workplace, Commercial Workplace, Refurbished/Recycled Workplace, Fit-out of Workplace, Small Projects and Innovation.
In giving the regional honours the judges commented: “The former Bank of Scotland headquarters, now the refurbished headquarters of the merged HBOS, has dominated and decorated the northern flank of Edinburgh’s Old Town for 300 years. In creating a stunning and practical headquarters, there is symbolic importance in this project; it emphasises HBOS’ commitment to remain permanently based in Edinburgh.”
The judges also congratulated HBOS for selecting Edinburgh based Malcolm Fraser Architects, who are usually more associated with contemporary design than with the restoration of historic buildings.
It was thought that the project was an imaginative re-working of a landmark building, combining sensitive restoration with bold intervention. The judges felt the use of modern lighting coupled with restrained interior design enhanced the spaciousness.
HBOS were also praised for its commitment to sustainability by using ground source heat pumps that assist heating and cooling in the building. This halves the previous energy consumption.
It was concluded that HBOS was not afraid to re-invent and accommodate traditional sobriety. The project saw qualities lost in previous conversions restored and poor service features such as lifts replaced. The judges were particularly impressed by the decision to open up the original banking hall to create a grand function space.
Speaking of the quality of entries, Mark Whitby, chairman of the BCO Awards, said: “This year’s entries have been exceptional, representing the beginning of a trend towards a new generation of buildings that not only excel as functional spaces but are lean in construction, superb in execution and exceptional in terms of energy consumption.
Whitby continued. “There is acknowledgement that if a workforce is to be ultimately successful, people must be given the highest quality and most fitting and flexible building environment from which to deliver. If the UK wants to retain its status as a leading financial market, with one in five people working in the financial and business services industries, we cannot underestimate the importance of the design quality and environmental credentials of our office building.”
Bank of Scotland Edinburgh: Building PR from Malcolm Fraser Architects 031007
HBoS Edinburgh : EAA Regeneration/Conservation Award 2006
photos © adrian welch
David Bryce
HBoS The Mound - main page
Bank of Scotland, St Andrew's Square Building : David Bryce
photos © adrian welch
HBoS Edinburgh - background on The Mound building
Edinburgh : back to index
Bank of Scotland Edinburgh development: Princes Exchange
Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters : St Andrew Square
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Malcolm Fraser Architects
HBOS HQ Edinburgh: Scottish Design Awards 2007 - Public Realm/Landscaping