When Forsters LLP chose 22 Baker Street for their new London headquarters, circular economy principles were central to the brief. Lazari and Forsters worked closely together from the outset, not just on the specification of the space, but on the philosophy behind it. The BCO submission carries Forsters’ name, as convention requires for a workplace entry, but this was a collaboration in every meaningful sense.
The London Region winners will be announced on 15 April 2026 at The London Hilton on Park Lane. It is the third BCO shortlisting Lazari has earned in this year’s awards cycle: The Met Building has already been recognised twice, for Lazari’s own refurbishment with Forme UK and for Avison Young’s new headquarters within the building, delivered by Peldon Rose.
The building
22 Baker Street is a Quinlan Terry-designed neoclassical building in Marylebone, its Georgian facade giving little away about the 59,900 sq ft of office space behind it. Forsters consolidated four London offices into a single headquarters here, bringing 500 staff together across seven floors for the first time. Marks Barfield Architects led the base build and Cat A design; ID:SR, the interior design studio of Sheppard Robson, designed the fit-out; Faithdean were the main contractor throughout.
The result is a building designed around how Forsters actually works. A double-height atrium connects the first and second floors via a sculptural curved staircase, the social heart of the building and a natural gathering point that encourages movement and informal connection throughout the day. A staff restaurant on the third floor opens onto an upgraded roof terrace. Perimeter desking maximises natural light across every floor. A modular spine of meeting rooms, focus areas and informal touchpoints runs through the building, giving Forsters the flexibility to reconfigure as they grow. Works completed in December 2023, with occupation in two phases: January 2024 and April 2025.
The numbers
Before a single panel was removed, Marks Barfield Architects carried out detailed material audits and created material passports for every reusable fitting and fixture. The principle was straightforward: reuse in situ, relocate within the building, or donate to other projects. Demolition was a last resort.
The results, verified by Faithdean:
• Total carbon saved: 577,041kg CO₂e (WLCA stages A1-5)
• Total cost saved: £1,655,660
• 133 fire doors reused in situ, saving £673,500
• 4,877m² of raised access floors deconstructed, reconditioned and reinstalled, saving £146,160 and 121,634kg CO₂e
• Upfront embodied carbon: 144kg CO₂e per m², with whole life embodied carbon of 374kg CO₂e per m².
Retaining and re-certifying fire doors in situ required new thinking on warranties and regulatory compliance, challenging established frameworks and setting a precedent for future projects. It also yielded the single largest cost saving on the project. Materials that could not be reused at 22 Baker Street were stored at other Lazari sites and donated to recipient projects, including the Oasis Nature Building, a charity forest school and nursery in Lambeth.
The approach changed how Lazari manages its wider portfolio. Central London sites now serve as material storage hubs, making reuse systematic and scalable across the estate.
“The opportunity to embrace circular economy principles was a decisive factor in choosing 22 Baker Street for our new HQ. A huge thank you to the entire project team for turning this vision into reality and surpassing all expectations.”
Glenn Dunn, Partner and Project Co-lead, Forsters
“We are a modern, professional and ambitious firm, which provides its services to our clients with warmth and humanity. The building reflects all of that. Coming back together under one roof, having just celebrated 25 years as a business, felt perfect. Combining style and sustainability, 22 Baker Street is a home we can be proud of as we look to the future.”
Emily Exton, Managing Partner, Forsters
“Forsters didn’t just move into a building we had refurbished. They helped shape the way we did it. That kind of occupier relationship is rare, and the results show what it makes possible.”
Nicholas Lazari, Director, Lazari
Putting down roots in Marylebone
The move to Baker Street has given Forsters a new community as well as a new home. Since relocating, the firm has established a partnership with the Marylebone Project, a charity supporting women facing homelessness, and runs a weekly Lunch Club at St Marylebone Parish Church, with around eight Forsters volunteers supporting 25 guests each week. A Reading Scheme with a local primary school supports Year 4 and 5 students with literacy. Every member of the firm receives a paid volunteering day each year.
A consistent record
22 Baker Street continues a strong run of BCO recognition for Lazari. In 2023, the company won three London Region awards: Best Corporate Workplace for Henrietta House, Best Commercial Workplace for The Lantern, and Best Workplace Fit Out for 16 Great Marlborough Street, which went on to win the national award in its category.
Read more about 22 Baker Street. Read about The Met Building’s BCO shortlistings.
