A landmark development is reimagined as a social and multi-functional office hub.
2 min read
Architecture and design studio Basha-Franklin has transformed The Cabot – a landmark development located at 25 Cabot Square in Canary Wharf. Originally built in 1991, the 17-storey building comprising office, retail and ancillary facilities is a prominent landmark within Canary Wharf. Appointed by global real asset Investment manager PATRIZIA, Basha-Franklin has injected the once sparse and corporate environment with a colourful and welcoming personality across the lobby, mezzanine and 10th floor level.
Downstairs, the refurbishment has updated the lobby with a cohesive architectural blend of contemporary terrazzo floor, oak timber and striking illuminated ceiling – which the team describes as reminiscent of the Mies van de Rohe TD Centre in Toronto. Retaining these elements within the new design, Basha-Franklin has overhauled the 558 m2 office lobby and mezzanine level, with cleverly collaborative co-working spaces and a hotel-centric aesthetic for an elevated experience and an “enhanced sense of place.”
“We took the opportunity to rethink the handsome, double-height ground floor architectural envelope and mezzanine level to realise the potential of the lobby’s proportions for a consciously positive human experience,” comments Basha-Franklin’s Rachel Basha. “A key move was to humanise the voluminous space, bringing it back to a more comfortable scale and dividing it into a series of connected environments with different uses. We maximised our client’s investment with a series of considered injections of activities to create a significant impact.”
The design focuses on high-quality furniture and materials akin to a high-end hotel or home where people can relax on the luxurious sofa sets in the reception and mezzanine or work at the crafted timber touchdown desks.
The more open, active areas – a generous reception, co-working space, and the redesigned café – provide welcoming spots for people to mix and come together. The mezzanine and protected dwell spaces create spaces that are inviting and hospitable, quiet settings, inviting employees to retreat, recharge and find balance amid the workday.
With many people returning to the office in 2024, the demand for multi-functional and hospitable office environments is higher than ever, says Basha-Franklin. “With the rise of modern technology, cybersecurity is the new safety, which means reception areas are no longer seen as an organisation’s first line of defence. Instead, they are a transitional zone, blurring office facilities with quasi-public amenities.” Preserving the spirit of the original building design with an experience-led approach, the result is a diverse set of multi-functional and welcoming spaces – created for, and open to, all.
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