UK - Unusual Rigging is celebrating a landmark achievement after its Northamptonshire headquarters was named Best of the Best at the 2025 British Council for Offices (BCO) National Awards. The building, which was delivered by architects Corstorphine & Wright, and designed and constructed entirely around circular economy principles, also won the Corporate Workplace category.
The BCO National Awards, held on 7 October at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London, brought together more than 1,200 senior figures from across the workplace design, development and property sectors to celebrate excellence in the built environment. Judges described Unusual HQ as a “model for how modern offices can combine innovation, sustainability and long-term vision.”
Tom Harper, managing director of Unusual Rigging said: “Winning these awards is immensely invigorating. They stand as a testament to the work undertaken on our HQ and research centre, and to the strides we have made in our aspiration to support the acceleration towards a circular economy. We would like to thank BCO, the judges, and all of our colleagues, friends, contractors and suppliers who helped us realise our vision.”
Accepting the award, alongside Tom was Jonny Plant, director of Corstorphine & Wright. He added: “"We are thrilled to have been recognised by the BCO for our work on Unusual’s new headquarters. It has been a privilege to help deliver such an innovative and ground-breaking scheme — one that redefines what is possible in sustainable workplace design.Working in close collaboration with Tom and his team, we have brought to life a building that embodies circular economy principles, setting new standards for low-carbon design, wellbeing, and user experience."
The recognition comes as Unusual Rigging continues to grow its reputation as one of the UK’s most forward-thinking providers of rigging, engineering, and technical solutions for the entertainment and events industries. Its focus on circular design, resource efficiency and sustainable innovation extends beyond its own headquarters, influencing how the company approaches projects worldwide.
BCO National Awards judging chair Mike Burton said this year’s winners reflected a shift in how workplace excellence is defined. “These projects show that offices can be catalysts for wellbeing, creativity and urban renewal,” he said.
For more on Unusual's new headquarters, see the May 2024 edition of LSi.
