The BCI Awards in 2009 once again brought a huge entry representing over 170 of the best projects in the UK and those abroad for which UK Companies had a significant input. The Awards are rigorously judged with each of the 35 UK shortlisted projects visited by members of the judging panel and their project teams quizzed on site. Teams representing the International shortlist of six projects were interviewed in London and visits made for the judges to glean further information.

It is well known that the BCI Awards are not a design competition – while excellence of architecture or engineering are factors, these Awards are all embracing with the judges considering many aspects from procurement, performance against prediction, quality of design and construction, safety, innovation, sustainability, usability and benefit to the community among many others listed in the Awards application form.

Client satisfaction is of particular importance, and the Chair of the judging panel is always from the client sector.

The Award Winners, Highly Commended schemes and what the Judges said about them

Building Award

For projects valued between £3 million and £50 million.

Winner: The Yellow Building, London

The Yellow Building is the new headquarters for Monsoon Accessorize located on a site formerly occupied  by  a series of industrial sheds. The frame comprises a diagonal concrete lattice which gives the building a  distinctive appearance, inside and out.

Commissioning Authority: Nottingdale / Monsoon Accessorize

Principal Designer: Allford Hall Monaghan Morris 

Principal Engineer: Adams Kara Taylor

Specialist consultant: Alliance Design UK

Main Contractor: Laing O'Rourke

• Striking new work-place typology - half way between a workshop and an office environment which the engineer describes as "a place of production".
• Positive involvement of the client from the start had major influence in its success.
• Innovative building which demonstrates a new approach to 'loose fit'
office design.
• Innovative use of exposed lattice concrete frame adds internal and external interest.