We’re excited to share that "From Cubicles to Community," an entry submitted by McBains has been shortlisted for the British Council for Offices NextGen Ideas Project 2024!
The innovative design reimagines traditional office spaces into dynamic, multifunctional environments that seamlessly integrate professional, personal, and social needs. By addressing contemporary challenges such as remote work, declining high street usage, and the need for sustainable, inclusive community spaces, we can create vibrant ecosystems that support work-life balance and community engagement.
Key features include retrofitting existing buildings to maximise space usage and reduce carbon footprints, implementing sustainable practices like energy-efficient systems and on-site farming, and incorporating AI-driven building management for optimal energy usage. Our concept, exemplified through the transformation of Oxford Street, envisions 15-minute cities that rejuvenate high streets and foster social cohesion. By integrating community amenities, promoting inclusivity, and enhancing work environments, our design paves the way for a sustainable, connected future, making it a versatile and scalable solution for urban living and working.
You might be interested in...
McBains Appointed to Lead Swindon Whole-House Retrofit Programme
Swindon Borough Council has appointed McBains as managing consultant to deliver a comprehensive whole-house retrofit programme across 104 homes in the Stratton and Highworth areas of Swindon.
CONSTRUCTION NEWS: Did the Budget deliver the reassurance that construction is craving?
McBains Managing Director, Clive Docwra, offers his perspective on the Budget and its implications for the construction industry in the months ahead, as featured in Construction News.
Inside Chichester College’s New STEM & Higher Education Centre
Construction of a new purpose-built STEM and Higher Education Centre at Chichester College reached completion recently, with the new building being officially opened by Further Education Commissioner Shelagh Legrave CBE in October.
ESTATES GAZETTE: Simplifying BNG for sheds
In an article for Estates Gazette, Matthew Baldwin, Project Director at McBains, explores how brownfield sites are grappling with BNG requirements and how proposed reforms in the upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill could make compliance simpler and more strategic.
New Urgent Treatment Centre opens at Worthing Hospital
A significant part of Worthing Hospital’s multi-million-pound improvement programme to expand its Emergency Department (ED) reached completion recently, with the handover and official opening of a new, purpose-built urgent treatment centre (UTC) on August 29, 2025
RIBA JOURNAL: An unconventional north London community gets a people-focused new heart
McBains is featured in RIBA Journal for our role as structural engineers on Highgate Newtown Community Centre in Camden.