The British Council for Offices (BCO) Awards celebrated Graven’s achievements across workplace design with Co-founder and Creative Director, Professor Janice Kirkpatrick OBE RSE, presented with the prestigious President’s Award. The Award, celebrated at the recent BCO Awards in London, recognised Graven’s longstanding contribution to the Creative Economy and design-led strategy.
Over four decades, Janice with the Graven team has been a driving force behind countless placemaking and design-led economic regeneration initiatives in Scotland and the UK. In addition to her role with Graven, she has acted as a key adviser to local and national organisations to deepen understanding of the role of design and creativity and its importance to the economy.
Graven has designed exemplary workplaces, alongside leading project partners, including for BBC Scotland’s Pacific Quay headquarters in Glasgow. The studio has won 11 national and regional BCO awards, including for Chivas Brothers in Blythswood Square and Kilmalid, and for Statkraft’s Scottish headquarters in Glasgow.
Graven worked closely with BBC Scotland, the architect David Chipperfield and Bovis on the BBC Scotland headquarters building. Graven’s role was to help ensure that the working environment would support the operations of BBC Scotland and encourage creative interactions and collaborations throughout the open plan offices, reception, sandstone street area and restaurant.
Europe’s largest renewable energy producer, Statkraft, commissioned Graven to design their first dedicated office in Scotland. Working alongside a talented project team, Graven delivered a vibrant, engaging and sustainable space in the historic Garment Factory building in Glasgow’s Merchant City.
BCO president Andy McBain said:
“The BCO President’s Award should recognise not only what someone has made, but what they have made possible for others. Across four decades, Janice has made possible better workplaces, stronger businesses, renewed places, economic placemaking, new careers and a more ambitious understanding of the value of creative design. As the importance of the creative economy grows, her wisdom has never been more needed.”
Professor Janice Kirkpatrick OBE RSE, Co-founder and Creative Director at Graven, added:
“I’m very humbled to win this incredible award, on behalf of our team at Graven. Over the last 40 years, designing places and spaces has always been a big team effort, within the studio and in collaboration with our clients, communities and the wider professional team. This award is in recognition of all those many contributions.
“In an ever changing and, at times, volatile world, I believe the future is bright. I want designers to seize the moment to back innovation, back creativity and use design to unlock the huge potential of our growing creative economy.
“Receiving this award, alongside industry colleagues and members of our Graven team, was a fabulous occasion.”