SMC Corstorphine & Wright - Offices Other - Midlands, England

Date: 10 Oct 2008

The NFU headquarters at Agriculture House, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire has won the Midlands and East Anglia award in the Corporate Workplace category from the UK's leading office industry organisation, the British Council of Offices (BCO).

Singled out for its fluent integration into a rural setting and energy-efficient features, Agriculture House was designed by leading architects SMC Corstorphine & Wright to provide a quality landmark building for the NFU when it relocated from its London base.

Built in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside in the 250-acre Royal Showground, the building reflects the NFU's corporate image of an environmentally-caring industry and utilises the latest sustainable technology to save energy, reduce running costs and minimise its impact on the countryside. As a result of the use of these technologies including displacement ventilation and chilled beams, Agricultural House's energy consumption is up to 50% less that of a typical office building.

Nestled among ancient trees and a lake, the new building's effortless integration into its rural setting was praised by the BCO judges as was its sympathetic response to the historic 12th century Stoneleigh Abbey which lies adjacent to the site. The judges said: "It is quiet, tranquil and evocative, without any sign of pressure on development density which often forces a more rigid approach."

The architect was committed to the use of innovative environmental measures and recycled, natural and traditional materials such as sandstone, cedar and Welsh slate. SMC Corstorphine & Wright even sought out agricultural materials like sheep's wool from Cumbria for the high-thermal insulation for the roof to help support the rural economy.

Paul Hughes, lead architect on Agriculture House at SMC Corstorphine & Wright, said: "This is a fantastic accolade and pays tribute to a highly effective relationship between client and architect and how that can translate in the architect and contractor relationship. By working with a progressive and focused client like the NFU, we were able to explore bespoke and innovative design solutions, shaped by the sustainability agenda and tailored to specific needs and operational requirements. It is the high-quality, light, healthy interior and its setting within beautiful landscaped gardens that sets this building apart."

The judges also commended the building's flexibility, noting that while it provides NFU with a bespoke solution, the building could easily be sub-divided or reconfigured in the future. In conclusion, the judges said it was "a well-rounded solution of which NFU should be proud, and a worthy winner of a hotly contested category."

Commenting on the NFU's design, Chairman of the judges Ron German said: "The judges were looking for excellence in architecture, clarity of purpose from those commissioning the building, ingenuity of the product, clever design solutions, delivery on time and budget and that special aspect of a project that makes it a delightful and productive place to work."

The annual BCO Awards honour the very best in office space throughout the country and provide public recognition for top quality design and functionality and a benchmark for excellence in workplaces. The awards were presented at a ceremony held last night (7th October) 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 UK office sector and to witness Agriculture House scoop the award.

NFU Headquarters