Insights: Five ways to optimise your back-to-office workspace

The return-to-office movement has forced businesses to rethink the design of their office spaces.

Basha-Franklin, the award-winning design studio leading the concept and delivery of future-forward ways of working at Canada Water’s One and Two Dockside produced a series of different operating scenarios we call ‘workspace concepts’.

Here, Rachel Basha, Founder and CEO of Basha Franklin, reflects on how businesses can create office environments that people feel drawn to, energised by and proud to be part of.

Make first impressions count

People no longer want to work in a plain, characterless environment. They want to feel a sense of warmth and belonging the moment they walk through the door. This begins with creating a threshold that transports people into a different world, one that feels genuinely welcoming. 

Security should feel effortless and unobtrusive, and reception teams should greet people by name, setting a tone of familiarity and care. This is a far cry from the traditional experience of entering a building and immediately sensing a barrier or an atmosphere of control. Instead of feeling as if they are crossing a security line, people should feel invited in.

Set the tone that aligns with a positive culture

A workplace should set the tone for a positive and intentional culture from the moment someone arrives. Environments that feel warm, human and thoughtfully curated create an immediate sense of wellbeing, in contrast to austere or clinical spaces that flatten energy. 

When people are surrounded by natural texture, considered colour, beautiful light and planting that brings life into the room, they feel more grounded, supported and able to manage the pace and pressures of work.

Shape the space to encourage optimal work

A workplace is not a hotel. It should not lull people into a soft state of leisure. Instead, it should elevate and energise. Furniture, spatial design and materiality must work together to lift performance, not drain it. The experience should feel intuitive, as if you are crossing into a world designed to help you think clearly, connect meaningfully and perform at your best. The environment should signal that this is a place where people and ideas thrive, where you feel both valued and equipped to do your best day of work.

What is particularly compelling about the buildings at Dockside is their versatility and the quality of natural light and nature throughout. The floorplates are designed to ensure that people are consistently close to daylight, which has a direct impact on wellbeing, focus and the overall experience of work. This creates an excellent foundation for designing to WELL Building principles, especially in relation to natural light, views and a meaningful connection to nature and biophilia. 

Dockside offers something rare in London: an everyday relationship with water, greenery and open sky that simply cannot be replicated in most city locations.

Create shared spaces that nurture community and connection

Shared spaces that bring people together are now essential to creating meaning and connection in the workplace. The office needs to offer something that feels worthwhile in person. Yes, it is about career development and growth, but it is also about joy, culture and the simple pleasure of being together.

In almost every project we deliver now, there is a central anchor space devoted to connection. Often this takes the form of a cafe and social heart, with meeting rooms that open out to create one generous space for town halls, celebrations and collective moments. These spaces allow organisations to bring their culture to life. It brings real character back into the workplace and reminds people why being together matters.

At One Dockside, BIG has created a prime position that’s devoted to this sense of arrival, connection and community. The deepest part of the floorplate becomes the welcoming entrance with a cafe and social hub, which can also transform into a high value space for client engagement and events. Abundant natural light and far-reaching views across the water create a feeling of openness and breathing space. It is a view that will remain protected, and this sense of calm and perspective frames the experience as you step inside. The space feels considered, uplifting and genuinely special.

Invite people to connect with the outdoors

During the pandemic, people experienced the impact that time outside has on wellbeing, clarity of thought and mental health. Flexible working has reinforced that people want the freedom to step out, take a walk, breathe, reset and return with more focus. The science is clear and so is the lived experience: connection to nature makes us feel better and helps us perform better.

At Dockside Canada Water, the relationship to nature and water is a defining part of the offer. The proximity to water alone creates a sense of calm and renewal. The majority of floors in Two Dockside benefit from direct access to outdoor space, and we have shaped the floor plans to encourage more universal use of these areas, particularly around social zones. It is not enough to admire the outdoors from behind glass. The layout should gently invite people to step out, enjoy the air and move their body, even if only for a moment.

This access to nature, light and fresh air supports mental clarity, reduces stress, and helps people feel energised. It enhances productivity, strengthens wellbeing and is a powerful magnet for attracting and retaining talent. It signals that the organisation cares about people not only as professionals, but as human beings.

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Rachel Basha and her team developed the office tests for both buildings planned for the dock edge at Canada Water, One Dockside and Two Dockside. Along with the exceptional amenities and location, these buildings have all the elements for setting the stage for both business productivity and employee wellbeing.