The HALO Kilmarnock celebrated another impressive achievement at the British Council for Office (BCO) Awards in London, receiving ‘Highly Commended’ status in the ‘Best UK Corporate Workplace’ category at the ceremony last night (Tuesday 4^th October 2022).

Following on from the HALO’s impressive award win as Scotland’s best Corporate Workplace at the annual BCO Regional Awards earlier in the year, the HALO proudly represented Scotland at last night’s London awards ceremony and showed the power and impact positive town centre regeneration projects can have on a national scale.

BCO is Britain’s leading forum for the discussion and debate of issues affecting the office sector. BCO’s mission is to research, development and communicate best practice in all aspects of the office sector, ensuring a forum for discussion and debate around relevant issues.

Designed by renowned architecture firm, Keppie, the HALO is setting the standard for low carbon sites across the UK. The development has brought significant benefits to the local economy and community which have gone above and beyond the expectations of a standard office building, which has been reflected in this special recognition.

With a vision for a dynamic commercial, educational, cultural leisure and lifestyle quarter where people can ‘Live, Work, Learn and Play’, the HALO is at the forefront of helping create a Net Zero carbon building. It provides a sustainable community approach to a mixed-use development, creating jobs, economic growth, skills development, clean energy and 210 smart homes.

Set within Phase one of The HALO development is the HALO Enterprise and Innovation Centre (HEIC). Opened in 2022, the HEIC collaborates with the HALO’s platinum partner, ScottishPower, to establish the principles for a “living lab” test bed site across the entire HALO campus, delivering positive outcomes for the people of Kilmarnock and for The HALO’s Platinum Partner, Scottish Power, in an all-electric, low-carbon campus.

The HALO Enterprise and Innovation Centre is powered by its low-carbon tech, including its 107 rooftop solar panels that can generate 36kWh of electricity, its 75 carport solar panels producing 24kWh of electricity from its electric bike and car recharging stations, the 50kW battery power storage and the HALO’s very own bespoke electric bus all powered by 100% renewable energy.

The HALO team is passionate and driven about delivering high quality regeneration projects in, at times, economically challenged areas helping them grow and evolve over time. With the support of both UK and Scottish Government’s, the HALO continues to build for an exciting future for both Kilmarnock and Scotland.

The Ayrshire Growth Deal is a partnership being driven forward by the Scottish Government, the UK Government and East, North and South Ayrshire Councils. The Deal presents a major opportunity to strengthen the Ayrshire, Scottish and UK economies, with £251.5 million of funding available to help Ayrshire to realise its potential as a world-class business region, including supporting the HALO Kilmarnock in its journey so far.

The design of the HALO building features an open plan that can be modified and tailored to the needs of tenants. External doors allow independent accessed entrance and reception for every tenant if desired. A wide range of facilities is available for users, including showers, a Cyber café and a retail space.

Marie Macklin CBE, Founder and Executive Chair of HALO Urban Regeneration Company, said: “We’re thrilled to see our work recognised by such a prestigious institution on a national level. This reflects the hard work and innovative approach that has been put into this project.

“Being ‘Highly Commended’ reflects the quality of the HALO’s design, and proves the positive impact that it has had and will continue to have in both the local community and across Scotland. All of us at the HALO are passionate about helping drive Scotland towards its net zero targets and creating a positive and lasting effect in tomorrow’s world for our children’s children.”

Keppie Director, David Ross, added: “It’s fantastic to see the HALO building recognised on a national level from the BCO. The HALO’s success is a recognition of the efforts of so many people, all of them inspired by the vision and determination of our client. We are very proud to have been involved with this wonderful project.”