Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Customer British Land
Designer/architect Conran and Associates
Integration tbc
Size tbc
Conran and Partners has overseen the interior design and fit-out of a 7m high lobby and café area at the Dock Shed, a six-storey office building that forms part of Canada Water’s transformative rebirth from British Land.
Located opposite the Rafter Walk and overlooking the wetlands of the Old Surrey Docks, the site is a welcoming environment for office tenants and the wider local community.
The design brief sought a balance between elegance and casual comfort, combining elements of dock trade and industrial design. This vision is brought to life through raw, hand-crafted details – exposed bolts, patina finishes and individually patterned tables, all of which celebrate an intentionally unfinished aesthetic.
The design takes cues from the architectural expression of the building – the industrial trusses, grid structure and dockside heritage – establishing a linear, zonal layout. Rather than imposing divisions, it introduces layered interventions: soft curtain to balance the volume and acoustics of the space, sculptural seating arrangements that encourage different ways of working or resting, and curated zones that shift from open and communal in the central area to intimate and focused on the perimeter.
The banquettes offer a sense of intimacy and separation from the café, while dynamic installations that stretch from ceiling to floor subtly define the areas. Made from natural materials such as sisal and cotton in soft tones and designed in collaboration with Art Story, the installations create contrasts and textures and celebrate raw craftsmanship. Just as the structural elements of the building are exposed, the construction, knots and braids of the ropes are inherent in their design.
Continuing the theme of craftsmanship, the handcrafted wooden bench opposite the reception area, inspired by a fallen tree, introduces an organic element to the space and complements furniture such as the Adjacencies coffee table by Van Rossum, which is balanced with soft seating, including the padded Puffy Lounge armchair by Hem.
The material palette is deliberately limited, with natural finishes, timber and rich planting, contrasted with bold injections of color and personality through furniture and accessories, developed in collaboration with Dodds & Shute. Concrete flooring adds an industrial edge, complemented by dark wood, deep copper hues and woven rattan rugs that provide warmth and texture. Soft double-height drapery enhances the sense of scale, while architectural details such as a steel staircase and framed windows trimmed with collected greenery further enrich the space.
Simon Kincaid, partner and director of Conran and Partners, says: “What makes the Dock Shed really special is its hybrid nature: part lobby, part cafe, part social hub. The project required a space that would adapt to the needs of multiple types of users, from tenants and their guests to the local community. We designed a space that would feel intuitive, welcoming and sophisticated, while seamlessly meeting practical and functional requirements.’
