UKAEA STEP Offices Building shortlisted for BCO Award 2026

A transformational new corporate workplace for the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), the 7,500sqm headquarters brings together previously dispersed departments into a single, efficient and future-ready environment that strengthens organisational cohesion, improves communication and enhances the employee experience.

Designed around a full-height central atrium, the building creates a clear organisational heart where open-plan workspace, meeting suites and informal collaboration areas work together to encourage “productive collisions” and support UKAEA’s highly specialised, multi-disciplinary teams. 

The workplace is BCO strategy led, flexible and adaptable, enabling UKAEA to respond to evolving programme needs and organisational growth. Generous daylight, intuitive circulation, varied work settings and high-quality end-of-trip facilities support a modern, healthy working culture. The all-electric, BREEAM Excellent building reduces operational demand and aligns with UKAEA’s Net Zero Carbon 2030 commitment, demonstrating leadership in sustainable public-sector estate management. 

Externally, a pedestrian-prioritised plaza and landscaped gardens extend the workplace outdoors, encourage active travel and contribute to a low-traffic campus core in line with the wider campus masterplan. Overall, the UKAEA STEP Offices project delivers a high-performing, people-centred corporate workplace that enhances productivity, celebrates the sharing of ideas for research advancements, and sets a new benchmark for sustainable, highly collaborative, agile environments within UK government science and research organisations.

Anna Kealey, Director at McBains, said: “We set out to create a workplace that strengthens collaboration, wellbeing and adaptability - a sustainable, future-ready headquarters designed to support both people and innovation. We’re extremely proud to see that vision recognised by the BCO in shortlisting this project for an award and I’d like to acknowledge the hard work of all those involved.”

The project will now go on to compete against other shortlisted projects at the BCO Regional Awards taking place in Bristol on 14^th May.