Woven Art as Architecture

Part of the mixed-use Canada Water masterplan, Dock Shed is a flagship workspace with exceptional amenities and a commitment to sustainability. The architectural scheme is designed by Allies and Morrison for British Land. Its 7-metre-high foyer has been reimagined by award-winning design experts Conran and Partners. The updated lobby and café now offer a crafted welcome experience, setting the tone for the building and providing spaces to pause and connect.

At the heart of this transformation are three rope installations, developed in collaboration with Artstory. These large-scale, woven screens cleverly engage with the material palette, as well as dividing the space, adding texture and inviting interaction.

We speak to Simon Kincaid, Partner and Principal at Conran and Partners, to hear the story behind the scheme and the rope installations. Tasked with creating a welcoming lobby that contrasts with the original austere foyer and its soaring ceilings and exposed concrete, Kincaid explains: “Our brief was to create a space that tenants, guests and the local community would use and engage with. We wanted the space to feel hospitable and warm, rather than the cliched, big, empty lobby.”

Initially envisioned as decorative dividers, the rope installations evolved into large-scale woven screens, inspired by traditional weaving, dockside craft and the practicalities of dividing a large open space. “We knew Artstory had the creativity to deliver something ambitious and crafted,” Kincaid explains. “The rope installations began as full-height decorative room dividers, aiming to add privacy and break up the volume, whilst enhancing the aesthetics.”

Prototyping and iterative development were central to the creative process. The team experimented with various materials to test proportions, arrangements and combinations. Engineering challenges, including ensuring tensile integrity, were solved alongside creative exploration and mockups.

Timber presented a particular challenge: “We wanted to include timber, but you’re weaving a solid material through a path designed for flexible rope, which is challenging,” Kincaid explains. Artstory’s R&D solved this with CNC-machining and laminated layers, creating a timber element that appears as a sleek line running through the installation. “Now it just looks like a crisp black line slicing through, like the early sketches, but it’s actually solid timber. People often go up to it and think, ‘Oh, I thought it was just rope or rubber – that’s really timber!’”

Tactility and user engagement were also key considerations. Visitors can trace the woven ropes and notice the subtle variations in materials. “We want people to engage with the installations. They’re functional, dividing the space, but also provide a layered visual and tactile experience – both from afar and up close,” explains Kincaid. The pieces bridge the industrial and softer, handcrafted aspects of the lobby, echoing the materiality of the furniture and other finishes to create a cohesive whole.

From sketches to prototyping, material testing and final installation, the project reveals the intricate craft and technical expertise – and most of all, the collaboration – required to realise a large-scale creative vision. It’s a reminder that bold, tactile, and meaningful installations are achievable when design intent meets thoughtful making and technical know-how.