One year on from opening, Plus X Brighton has won several leading awards for its commitment to outstanding workspace, inspiring design and the wellbeing of its residents and team.

Designed by architect Studio Egret West and developed in partnership with U+I, Plus X Brighton was formed to create a community driven innovation hub for businesses of all size, situated in the Preston Barracks regeneration project based on Lewes Road, Brighton.

Since opening in July 2020, Plus X Brighton has welcomed over 270 members through its door, from freelancers to corporates. The innovation hub encompasses business growth innovation programmes such as BRITE, support for sustainable product makers, design workshops, podcast studios, media suites and wellbeing benefits including twice weekly yoga classes and a nutritional café ran by local provider Café Domenica.

Whilst due to the pandemic, the Plus X team haven’t been able to attend the usual in person celebrations that go alongside being recognised for these fantastic awards, the team are overjoyed to celebrate this great news.

Alexandra Young, Senior Location Manager comments:

“Life changed dramatically just before Plus X Brighton opened last year and wellbeing has been front and centre of many minds over the last 18 months. To be recognised by a number of leading awards for providing our members with a state of the art, comfortable and inspiring space during this time is a true testament to the outstanding work of our team and partners who have designed, launched and operated this innovation hub. We are thrilled to have been recognised by such prestigious titles.”

Find out more about our award wins and nominations below.

Best Workplace Interior – Design Week Awards

Now in its 31st year, the Design Week Awards are the leading accolade in the design industry, catering for every area of commercial design. Showcasing the best work from across all design disciplines including workplaces, the Awards give outstanding designers the widespread recognition and rewards they deserve.

Submitted by Architect Studio Egret West, Plus X Brighton won the award for ‘Best Workplace Interior’, with judges commenting: “The spaces in Plus X Brighton look and feel really contemporary and relaxing. Warm colour palette and good layering which makes for a welcoming space fit for purpose”.

Colourful and warm interiors at Plus X Brighton

People’s Choice Award for ‘Best Commercial Co-working Space’ – Architezer A+Awards

The A+Awards celebrate the year’s best buildings and spaces around the world. Entries are judged by more than 400 luminaries from fields as diverse as fashion, publishing, product design, real estate development, and tech.

Submitted by Architect Studio Egret West, Plus X Brighton won the award for ‘Best Commercial Co-working space’.

Architizer explain that the awards represent a changing world “The world around us never stops evolving, but in 2020, the rate of change accelerated on all fronts. Our environment, our social landscape, and our daily lives were upended, giving rise to immense challenges across the globe. For designers, these turbulent times provide rich opportunities for innovation. Pioneering architecture is not just a thing of beauty — it can transform society, making it more resilient, empowered, and prepared for what the future might hold.” 

Modern and relaxing workspace at Plus X Brighton

Workspace of the year finalist – STARTUPS Magazine Hustle Awards

From freelancers to startups, the Hustle Awards champion the disruptors, the fire-starters and every entrepreneur who took a leap of faith in 2021.

The awards include categories such as ‘Most Innovative Tech StartUp’ and ‘Social Impact Hero’. Plus X Brighton came runner up in the ‘Best 2021 Workspace Award’ for it’s commitment to creating a great workspace for ambitious entrepreneurs.

The awards are judged by previous winners and experts in their field including Benjamin Carew, Co-founder of Othership who are revolutionising the way individuals and teams work:

“Always knowing how to target a market in need of better, Plus X Brighton is centered around wellbeing of members, so much so they are on their way to being accredited a platinum award by WELL.”

Keep an eye out next summer for the opportunity to put your start-up forward for a 2022 Hustle Award.

AIRSPACE: The rooftop at Plus X Brighton

Best Workplace Mental Health Awareness Award Initiative – Company Culture Award

The Company Culture Awards recognise and celebrate companies who share values, care for, and nurture their workforce, offer career development, reward good work and create a workplace environment that is beyond just an office space, even when remote.

At Plus X Innovation hubs, all staff across all sites are trained in the MHFA (Mental Health First Aid) qualification to support both our members and our team. This commitment was one of the key pillars of our wellbeing strategy that the judges applauded.

“With clear objectives and metrics that meant it was easy to measure improvement, we really liked this entry. Clear commitment to mental health support with external expertise brought in to make sure they got it right from the start. 

It is clear a huge amount of effort has gone in to building a culture where the staff are involved which is key to its success. A fantastic entry and a huge well done” 

The atrium cafe space at Plus X Brighton

Watch this space!

This Autumn, we’ll be waiting patiently to find out about 3 further workspace and interior design awards for which we have been nominated:

• The AJ Architecture Awards which recognise excellence in UK architecture across a range of categories, from School & Housing Projects to Landscaping and Workspace.
• The EG awards ran by the Estates Gazette will crown the very best businesses in real estate in the UK and beyond.
• The Dezeen Awards is the most popular and accessible celebration of the world’s best architecture, interiors and design projects and studios.

Keep up to date on the Plus X Innovation Hubs LinkedIn page for more awards news.

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