Publications

The BCO's research publications play a vital part in the built environment by providing best practice guidance and evidence based research on the principal themes that will drive the industry in the years to come.

Under construction Publications

The BCO's research publications play a vital part in the built environment by providing best practice guidance and evidence based research on the principal themes that will drive the industry in the years to come.

Best Practice Guides

Since its inception in 1990 the BCO has been at the forefront of developments in the office sector, identifying and predicting the themes that shape and drive the sector. The BCO looks at how the office has changed over the years since its creation, its role in driving, facilitating and supporting those changes as well as looking ahead to how market dynamics might shift going forward.

Linking design, people and technology to enhance health and productivity will be fundamental for high-performing workplaces.

Visit this section for our Best Practice Guides.

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Research REports

Key influences such as agile working, technology, densification, sustainability, productivity and health & wellbeing are not only impacting on the office industry in general, but also the design, specification, delivery and occupation of buildings and will continue to do so, creating new challenges for designers, developers, occupiers and asset managers.

We see an accelerating rate of change in the workplace as factors such as globalisation, technology, demographics and culture combine to change existing business models.

Visit this section to review our extensive library of reports.

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Our Best Practice Guides

Guide to specification

Guide To Fit Out

Guide To Lighting

More Guides

our publications

Are you a non-member or a student?

BCO Research Reports are available to BCO members for the first 3 months of publishing.

After 3 months, non-members and students can also download the reports.

If you’d like to speak to our team about any publication, get in touch.

Publication title

VIABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE REGIONS

Publication date

09.12.25

Category

Research Publication

The UK’s most sustainable office space is concentrated in London and the Big Six. This limits occupier choice, challenges ESG commitments and threatens the long-term resilience of regional office markets outside the Big Six.

BCO’s new report, Viability and Sustainability in the Regions, explains why this gap persists and challenges the assumption that sustainable offices must be prime, new-build assets.

It introduces a city office portfolio approach to help smaller regional cities coordinate strategies, improve office stock and drive change through collaborative leadership, fit-for-place solutions, performance metrics, incentives and local skills development.

This approach can unlock opportunities, strengthen local economies and create a more sustainable UK office market.

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Publication title

BCO SUSTAINABILITY CASEBOOK

Publication date

24.10.25

Category

Research Publication (Research & ESG committees)

The BCO Sustainability Casebook presents 14 case studies from around the world, showcasing how offices can deliver value for people, place, and planet.

The casebook offers fresh perspectives for developers, planners, designers, contractors, facility managers, occupiers, and the wider community. Alongside the case studies, five guest articles from industry leaders, including Paul Dennett (Salford City Mayor) and Sunand Prasad OBE (Perkins&Will), provide insights on how the sector can design, develop and operate offices that make a real difference.

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Publication title

REDEFINING THE MARKET: BEYOND GRADE A

Publication date

03.09.25

Category

Research Publication

The “Grade A” label no longer reflects the true quality of UK offices. With wide variation in performance, sustainability, and amenities, the market needs a more accurate framework.

Developed with JLL, BCO’s report “Redefining the Market: Beyond Grade A” introduces a 100-point scoring system covering physical quality, sustainability, technology, and amenity, designed for both new builds and retrofits. It provides occupiers, landlords, and investors with a clear, consistent way to compare office buildings and make informed decisions.

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Publication title

REVIEW OF POST-PANDEMIC UK OFFICE UTILISATION

Publication date

10.07.25

Category

Research Publication

The British Council for Offices’ latest report, Review of Post-Pandemic UK Office Utilisation, delivers a comprehensive analysis of how office occupancy has shifted from the long-standing 80% benchmark to a more realistic—and still conservative—utilisation rate around 66%. Drawing on extensive data and expert insights, this report offers essential guidance for developers, landlords, and occupiers seeking to optimise workspace design, improve operational efficiency, and align offices with the evolving needs of today’s workforce. It includes practical recommendations to support smarter space planning and sustainable workplace strategies in a rapidly changing environment.

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Publication title

Minutes from 2024’s AGM

Publication date

Category

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Publication title

BCO Statutory Accounts from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025

Publication date

Category

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LATEST Best practice guides (will be linked to CRM)

Productivity

VIABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE REGIONS

09.12.25

Productivity

BCO SUSTAINABILITY CASEBOOK

24.10.25

Productivity

REVIEW OF POST-PANDEMIC UK OFFICE UTILISATION

10.07.25

Design

Making The Future Workplace: Materials and methods towards a circular economy

03.12.19

Productivity

The Business Case for Productive, Higher Performing and Healthier Workplaces – BCO and LCMB Workshop

06.11.19

Workplace Strategy

The Rise of Flexible Workspace in the Corporate Sector

16.10.19

Workplace Strategy

The Rise of Flexible Workspace in the Corporate Sector

16.10.19

Occupier

The Space-Time Office – New demands, new possibilities

05.06.19

Publications

Under construction Publications

The BCO's research publications play a vital part in the built environment by providing best practice guidance and evidence based research on the principal themes that will drive the industry in the years to come.

Our Best Practice Guides facilitate and support the office sector

Best Practice Guides