The 2025 NLA Awards shortlist for the Workplaces category reflects a powerful shift in how London approaches the office—not just as a place to work, but as a space to thrive. This transformation couldn’t be more timely, as the capital grapples with hybrid working patterns, talent retention challenges, and an urgent need for sustainable built environments. The shortlist highlights the breadth of workplaces, both planned and delivered in our city—from new, large-scale, purpose-built offices to heritage conversions, adaptive re-use, and even specialist manufacturing spaces. 

What stands out most about this year’s shortlist is the holistic approach to workplace design. It is no longer just about location and capacity, but about a building’s complete offer: amenity and landscape, wellbeing, sustainability, and community partnerships. 

The retrofit and adaptive reuse projects deserve particular recognition. Walworth Town Hall has revitalised a valuable heritage asset, future-proofing and diversifying its use for generations to come. The Scoop shows what can be achieved on a smaller scale when creativity is embraced—bringing playfulness and joy to the streetscape while complementing, not competing with, its neighbouring church. And of course, workplaces are not limited to office space: Peckham Watch Factory is a compelling example of adaptive and sustainable transformation for a specialist trade, preserving Southwark’s industrial legacy while upgrading it for contemporary needs. 

The new-build projects exemplify the next generation of prime workspace in London. Worship Square combines kerb appeal with flexibility, affordable workspace, biophilic design, wellness, amenity, and landscape seamlessly integrated. OSMO embodies the ethos of “office meets outdoors,” with terraces on every level, a focus on natural materials, and a strong connection to the public realm of Nine Elms Linear Park—much of which Maylim has proudly delivered over the last eight years, making this project especially close to our heart. Fetter Lane impresses with its sustainability credentials, including a material bank system that plans for circularity from the outset rather than as an afterthought. The creation of a pocket park, new permeability, and the renewal of the White Swan pub add a civic dimension that extends the project’s value beyond its walls. 

The boldness of Paradise SE11 is also commendable. The challenges of delivering mass timber commercial development should not be underestimated, and this project demonstrates that such schemes can be both aspirational and responsible—achieving sustainability without sacrificing elegance or user experience. 

Among the unbuilt submissions, the mixed-use masterplan for Bishopsgate Goodsyard excites with extensive heritage work, echoing the viaducts and arches of King’s Cross and Coal Drops Yard. Its mix of public park, homes, workplaces, and cultural spaces promises a new benchmark for large-scale urban regeneration. Meanwhile, Verso commits to inclusive urban design, with high-quality public realm, a clear emphasis on material retention, and a sympathetic yet bold response to its Shoreditch context. 

At Maylim, we know the public realm plays a vital role in this transformation. The most successful workplace projects on this shortlist understand that productivity and creativity don’t stop at the building’s edge. Outdoor spaces—plazas, terraces, courtyards—extend the workplace beyond four walls. They invite movement, interaction, and those crucial moments of pause that spark innovation. 

We are proud to sponsor this category because it aligns perfectly with our belief that great design should elevate everyday life. It was a pleasure to sit on the expert assessor panel for this year’s NLA Awards, and we look forward to celebrating all the finalists and announcing the winner in November.