A day in the life at Florence Dock: A post-occupancy evaluation
As architects, post-occupancy evaluation (POE) is a crucial part of our process, bridging the gap between design intent and real-world functionality. While initial design and planning are essential, the true test of a space lies in how it serves its occupants over time.
As part of a POE exercise, Director, Tim Chapman Cavanagh and Associate Director, Ed Sharland, recently had the unique opportunity to stay overnight at our co-living development, Florence Dock, which was completed in July 2023.
Both were part of the team that lead the design, so the stay allowed them to step into the spaces they helped create, to observe how people interact with the environment and how the design performs in daily life. The POE process provides us with critical feedback, enabling us to understand what works well and where improvements can be made.
The development, for clients Halcyon and DTZ Investors, operated by Folk Co-Living blends the comforts of home with the amenities of a high-end hotel, creating a space that is both practical and inviting.
Nestled on the south bank of the Thames in the vibrant district of Battersea, Florence Dock offers a unique and refreshing take on contemporary urban living. The scheme, somewhat uniquely offers both short-stay (1 night to 90 nights) and long-stay rooms (3-12 months), that are tenure blind and offer the same fitout and facilities, and access across the building.
5.00 PM – Arrival at Florence Dock
The exterior, with its sleek design and modern aesthetic, set the tone for what would be an insightful and enjoyable stay. After a quick chat with the concierge, we were handed our room keycards and made our way to our respective rooms, excited to see how our designs translated to a real-life building.
5.30 PM – Settling into our rooms
Having designed the rooms to be as efficient as possible, we knew they were going to be compact, but we were pleasantly surprised at how cosy and comfortable they were upon first impression. The integrated storage works well, particularly the floor-to-ceiling wardrobe. The bathroom is well designed and again there is plenty of storage, but if we were really nit-picking, our preference would be to have the door opening outward rather than inward. The earthy tones of the kitchenette and wall colour provide a cosy feel to the room and work well and there is perfectly adequate storage for food in cupboards and a fridge, if residents want to keep it in their room rather than the communal kitchen.
6.00 PM – Exploring the onsite facilities
With free rein to nosey around a bit, we took the opportunity to explore the various onsite facilities. From the well-equipped gym to the cosy communal lounges and expansive cinema room, every space we visited reflected a commitment to fostering community while providing residents with top-tier amenities.
The stand out area, and quite unique to a building of this type is the ground floor reception, bar and event space. This large space is broken up through changes in level, and whilst for the majority of the time it is a transition and gallery space, it fulfils a broader function of providing a space for all residents to come together for events, small concerts and parties. The dedicated coworking space provides a functional environment to work, though interestingly residents had taken up spaces all across the building to sit with a laptop, so the idea of confining people to a specific workspace is not necessarily how people will respond in reality,
On the practical side of things, the laundry room was very impressive, with plenty of machines and spaces to dry, iron and fold clothes, though perhaps a bit utilitarian for our taste. There is also an impressive amount of bicycle storage downstairs accessed via a very large goods lift directly off the street. This means no messy bikes coming through the lobby and bikes are less likely to be stolen. Alongside this, there is plenty of ‘caged’ storage for residents who want to store bulky items such as suitcases, surf boards and golf clubs.
As we explored the building there was plenty of evidence that there is a thriving community amongst residents. In the lifts, there are posters showing the upcoming resident events, of which there were a huge amount, including running clubs, fitness classes, gin making (!), resident feedback sessions and many more.
7.30 PM – Dinner and conversations with residents on the rooftop
As evening approached, we joined some of the residents on the communal rooftop for dinner. The BBQ was fired up, and Ed cooked a delicious meal of steak and chips, enjoying the warm summer breeze as we chatted with our neighbours. The rooftop offered stunning views of the city skyline, and the conversations with residents gave us invaluable insights into their experiences living at Florence Dock. We chatted with various people, having a good conversation with two Quantity Surveyors both in their 20’s (can’t seem to avoid them!) working on construction sites in London. They were full of praise for the development and were really enjoying living there.
What residents like:
Modern design and comfort: The apartments are stylishly designed with a contemporary, minimalist aesthetic that appeals to many. Residents appreciate the high-quality furnishings, comfortable beds, and well-equipped kitchenettes, which make the spaces feel like a home, whilst the 24hr concierge providing assistance and receiving parcels is a massive comfort compared to a HMO.
Community atmosphere: Florence Dock fosters a sense of community with its social events, shared spaces, and friendly environment. Many residents enjoy the opportunity to meet and connect with others, which adds to the overall appeal of living there.
Amenities: The on-site amenities, such as the fitness centre, rooftop terrace, and co-working spaces, are well-regarded by residents. Having choice of amenities – where to work, where to cook etc very popular. These facilities make daily life more convenient and enjoyable, particularly for those who work from home or value having leisure options on-site.
Location: The Battersea area is a major draw, with its vibrant atmosphere, proximity to the Thames, and access to green spaces like Battersea Park. The convenience of nearby transport links and the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station add to the area’s appeal, making it an attractive place to live.
What residents think could be improved:
Better under bed storage and somewhere to put shoes in the room, laundry and additional storage cages could also be included in the monthly rental fee .
9.00 PM – Outdoor movie night
After dinner (Tim was on washing up duty), we gathered around the outdoor projector screen, set up ad hoc by a group of residents as the weather was so warm, for a movie under the stars. The relaxed atmosphere, combined with the comfortable seating and popcorn on hand, made for a perfect end to the evening. It was moments like these that truly highlighted the sense of community that Florence Dock fosters.
11.00 PM – A comfortable night’s sleep
When the movie ended, we retired to our rooms for the night (because we’re old). It was a scorching 28 degrees, so the comfort of the rooms was really put to the test. Unlike Sunday Mills (another co-living development designed by Assael Architecture for Halcyon and DTZ Investors), the scheme was designed without comfort cooling due to an improved acoustic environment, and we are pleased to say that with the windows open and passive cooling measures such as the exposed concrete soffit providing thermal mass, the temperature remained comfortable for a great night’s sleep.
Get in touch
What sets Folk Florence Dock apart is its array of amenities that cater to a variety of needs and the sense of community that this brings to the development. There are of course things that we will take away from the development that we can always improve on for the next co-living opportunity, but in general we are extremely satisfied with the design of Florence Dock.
Following on from Tim and Ed’s stay at Florence Dock, we will be putting together a more in depth ‘Lessons Learnt’ report as part of the POE process. If you are considering a new co-living project and would like to talk to us about this in more detail, please do not hesitate to get in contact on info@assael.co.uk and we can set up a meeting.