One Portwall Square wins the 2023 BCO National Commercial Workplace Award
One Portwall Square in Bristol has won the national Commercial Workplace Award from the British Council for Offices (BCO), setting the benchmark for UK office excellence. It is the first time that a commercial office development from the South/South West region has ever taken home the national prize for this category.
Described by the BCO as, “’an exceptional example of innovation, showing what can be achieved on a relatively compact city centre site,” the building’s low-carbon design and sustainable mixed mode heating, cooling, and ventilation system, were praised by the judges. They also highlighted the incorporation of concrete core cooling as a means of delivering comfortable temperature conditions for occupiers – the first of its kind in a Bristol office.
A tremendous achievement for Nord and the entire team.
One Portwall Square wins at the 2023 British Council for Offices Awards
One Portwall Square was named the winner of the Commercial Workplace award at the 2023 regional British Council for Offices (BCO) Awards for South & SW England and South Wales. This is a major endorsement of the building’s design and execution and we now are entered into the National BCO Awards which are taking place in October.
Congratulations to the entire team. We are delighted that One Portwall Square has been recognised for its excellence.
Cycle Fair at One Portwall Square
We are delighted to host our very first event on the Square. A celebration of all things bike and print we welcome you to our Cycle Fair on Sunday 2 October. With an array of cycling and printing activities this promises to be a fun and memorable community event which will definitely place One Portwall Square on the Bristol map.
The Workplace Evolution – Insider South West Feature
It was great to be featured by Insider SWs piece on the evolving workplace. We had plenty to say about how One Portwall Square responds to occupier demands for better quality space and how we are delivering a new building which has wellness, natural ventilation, flexibility placemaking and comfort at its heart.
Shortlisted at the 2021 Bristol Property Awards
One Portwall Square is our first development in Bristol. So it means a huge amount to get shortlisted in this year’s Bristol Property Awards in both the Development and Commercial Developer categories. We’ve never been shy in saying that we think our building will be the best office in Bristol. But to get the external recognition is really something. Here’s to all the nominees. Because celebrating the best in Bristol architecture and Bristol property makes a better city.
Topping Out at One Portwall Square
Nord and Skanska celebrated reaching the highest point of construction with a topping out ceremony. The rooftop ceremony was marked with the Scandinavian good luck tradition of flying a fir tree over the building by tower crane, together with the start of the roofworks. One Portwall Square will provide 33,750 sq ft of grade A office space, together with a large, landscaped square and is located close to Bristol Temple Meads Railway Station. With an emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability, the scheme is being built to a BREEAM Excellent accreditation, as well as an EPC rating of A. Additionally, the development will achieve a WiredScore and Cycling Score Certification Platinum in recognition of its commitment to outstanding connectivity and exceptional cycling amenities.
Designed by architects AHMM, the building uses in-slab cooling, and will be the first office building to use this system in Bristol. It pumps cooled water through pipework installed in the floor slabs. The building will also connect to Bristol’s low carbon district heating network, currently being installed.
Richard Jones, Nord founder, said: “Working closely with our architects and engineers we’ve designed One Portwall Square with occupiers in mind. Our aim is to deliver new standards in innovation, post-COVID occupant amenity and office design, combining modern and flexible floorplates with generosity of space and light. One Portwall Square blends contemporary architecture with an outstanding specification to provide an inspiring and adaptable working environment that sets a new standard for offices in Bristol.”
Charlie Norris, Skanska Operations Director, commented: “One Portwall Square’s focus on user wellness will be achieved by incorporating a range of features such as excellent cycling and changing facilities and large outdoor terraces on all upper floors. A south-facing square will provide a tranquil area, helping to improve and support people’s physical and emotional wellbeing by providing an outdoor space where they can take time out of their busy workdays to unwind and relax. The simple yet innovative mixed-mode heating and cooling system which only uses fresh air, together with the natural ventilation enabled by the opening windows gives users the ability to engage with their workplace environment to create a well ventilated, healthy and comfortable internal space.”
Half a year on at One Portwall Square
It’s amazing what a difference half a year makes!
As we welcome in a new month, it gives us the perfect opportunity to look back on the early days of our construction phase when groundworks had barely begun and the upper elevations at One Portwall Square were too far in the future to visualise. Still plenty to do this July, and a full programme of works to co-ordinate and deliver, but there’s plenty to be proud of as well.
Collaboration with Rocksteady Training at One Portwall Square Site
The Skanska team at One Portwall Square are liaising with local training and skills organisation, Rocksteady Training, to support their work in engaging, supporting and educating young students in the construction sector. Based in Bristol, Rocksteady Training works with 14-16 year olds to teach them basic and advanced construction skills and offers hands-on learning, practical advice, industry standard training and emotional support.
We look forward to supporting these young adults at the start of their construction careers and hope we can share with them some of our own industry and site experience.
Street Art around the One Portwall Square site compound
The team at Skanska have been working with local artists to bring colour and interest to the hoarding around the site compound on Station Approach. The site cabins are now surrounded by some extraordinary art which makes a refreshing change and showcases some of the creativity and talent in the city.
Concrete Pouring
166 m3 of concrete was poured at our One Portwall Square site yesterday. Watching the Skanska team in action was mesmerising and there was an almost instant change in the site’s appearance. It is a pretty major milestone for all involved and signifies the next stage in the build programme.