We are very proud to announce that Hilson Moran’s London office – the Living Lab – has won a British Council for Offices (BCO) Award for London, in the Projects up to 2,500m² category. The award, presented at the 2025 BCO London Awards ceremony, recognises excellence in the design and delivery of workplace environments that support innovation, sustainability and wellbeing.
Developed in collaboration with architect Gensler, the Living Lab represents a new chapter in how we approach strategy and design in the workplace sector, not just for our clients but for ourselves. Designed as both a functional workspace and a live testbed for experimentation and innovation, the project brought the business together to shape an environment that reflects the evolving nature of how we work.
Co-creation was central to the process. Through a series of interactive workshops and staff engagement sessions, the project team explored themes such as agile and hybrid working, the role of the workplace as a hub for innovation, and how physical space can support culture and collaboration. Feedback from pilots conducted during the final years at Shackleton House helped inform everything from desk arrangements and quiet zones to sensory enhancements and AV setups.
It was also made possible by our brilliant project partners – Cost Manger Turner & Townsend Alinea and contractor ISG, working alongside Hilson Moran’s own specialist engineers and designers. We were proud to work closely with inspiring and innovative suppliers, including Fagerhult, Exubia, Artus, Lutron Electronics and Burland Technology Solutions.
The result is a flexible, sustainable, and people-focused space that showcases Hilson Moran’s core values in action – and now stands as an award-winning example of forward-thinking office design.
The BCO judges praised the Living Lab for showcasing cutting-edge engineering as well as the integration of sustainability, wellbeing and adaptability. They remarked on the use of the space to showcase Hilson Moran’s skills in the best way possible, making The Living Lab an exemplary next-generation office.
“This award is a fantastic recognition of the effort, creativity and collaboration that went into making the Living Lab a reality,” said John Deasy, Director at Hilson Moran. “We didn’t just design an office — we used the opportunity to test ideas, involve our people and challenge the status quo. The result is a workplace that is genuinely fit for purpose, and we’re delighted it has been recognised by the BCO.”
The Living Lab has already begun to serve as a showcase environment for clients and collaborators. Winning a BCO Award further underlines the project’s success as both a workplace and a proof of concept.
We’d like to thank the full project team — and everyone at Hilson Moran who helped shape this space — for making the Living Lab a reality.
