Conran and Partners Fuse Craft and Industry in Dock Shed’s Hybrid Social Hub at Cananda Water
Conran and Partners has worked their magic on the interior design and fit-out of Dock Shed’s impressive 7-metre-high lobby and café space. Part of British Land’s ambitious regeneration of Canada Water, the six-storey office building now boasts a striking arrival experience. Sitting opposite the newly created Rafter Walk and looking out over the wetlands of the Old Surrey Docks, the space has been designed to feel welcoming not only for office tenants but also for the wider local community.
Photo: Jack Hobhouse
The design brief sought a sophisticated balance between elegance and casual comfort, seamlessly fusing elements of dock trade and industrial design. This vision is brought to life through raw, handcrafted details – visible bolts, patina finishes, and hand-buffed tables with unique patterns, all celebrating an intentionally unfinished aesthetic. Layered textures and thoughtfully chosen materials enhance the space’s warmth and authenticity, creating an inviting yet dynamic atmosphere.
Photo: Jack Hobhouse
The design takes cues from the building’s architectural expression – its industrial trusses, gridded structure and dockside heritage – establishing a linear, zoned layout. Rather than imposing divisions, it introduces a variety of layered interventions: soft drapery to balance the space’s generous volume and acoustics, sculptural seating arrangements to encourage different modes of working or resting, and curated zones that shift in mood from open and communal in the central area to intimate and focused on the perimeter.
Photo: Taran Wilkhu
Simon Kincaid, Partner and Principal at Conran and Partners, said:
“What makes Dock Shed truly distinct is its hybrid nature: part lobby, part café, part social hub. The brief demanded a space that adapts to the needs of multiple user types, from tenants and their guests to the local community. We designed a space that would feel intuitive, welcoming and refined, while seamlessly accommodating practical and operational demands.”
Photo: Taran Wilkhu
Strategically placed banquettes provide a sense of intimacy and separation from the café, while a series of dynamic installations cascading from ceiling to floor subtly define areas creating an evolving play of light and shadow. Crafted from natural materials including sisal and cotton in muted tones and designed in collaboration with Art Story, the installations create contrasts and textures and celebrate raw craftsmanship. Just as the building’s structural elements are exposed, the construction, knots, and weaves of the ropes are intrinsic to their design, leaving the installations intentionally unrefined to showcase the beauty of their natural materials without excessive finishing.
Photo: Taran Wilkhu
Continuing the theme of raw craftmanship, the handcrafted timber bench opposite in the reception area, inspired by a fallen tree, introduces an organic element to the space and complements furniture pieces including Van Rossum’s Adjacencies coffee table, which are elegantly balanced by soft seating including the quilted Puffy Lounge chair by Hem.
Photo: Taran Wilkhu
The material palette is intentionally restrained, featuring natural finishes, timber, and lush planting, contrasted by bold injections of colour and personality through furniture and accessories, developed in collaboration with Dodds & Shute. Concrete screed flooring adds an industrial edge, complemented by dark timber, deep bronze tones, and woven rattan rugs that introduce warmth and texture. The double-height soft drapery enhances the sense of scale, while architectural details such as a steel staircase and picture-framed windows, curated with collected greenery, further enrich the space.
Photo: Jack Hobhouse
Conran and Partners designed a space for adaptability and longevity, where function is not hidden but integrated, and where the layered aesthetic elevates everyday moments.