“Connected Realities”: 2026 Edition of Workspace Design Show in London Reveals Bold Theme Exploring the Fusion of Physical and Digital Workplaces.
The future of work isn’t physical versus digital. It’s both, beautifully and intelligently intertwined. That’s the driving force behind Connected Realities, the newly announced theme for Workspace Design Show, taking place 25–26 February at the Business Design Centre, London.
This edition invites exhibitors and visitors alike to explore how hybrid models, immersive technologies, and smart environments are reshaping the workplace, not just as spaces we use, but as environments we feel, engage with and belong to.
“We’re moving beyond furniture and floorplans. Today’s most successful workplaces behave almost like living organisms, responsive, sensory, and human,” says Esha Bark-Jones, Event Director for Workspace Design Show. “Connected Realities is a celebration of that evolution, the moment where physical design and digital intelligence finally operate in harmony.”
Rather than treating the theme as a backdrop, Workspace Design Show is turning it into a full-scale design challenge, asking exhibitors to interpret Connected Realities through the way they build and behave within their stands. Whether through AR-enabled product demos, blended material palettes, live data walls or wellbeing-driven sensory environments, the show floor is set to become a living exhibition of this reality’s workplace behaviour.
A few of the leading brands already confirmed to participate include König + Neurath, Sedus, Bisley, Pedrali, Interface, Kvadrat, and Forbo, each set to showcase not just products, but perspectives on how connection between people, space and technology can elevate performance, culture and everyday joy at work.
We are also working closely with our design partners Gensler, Peldon Rose, MCM Architecture, M Moser Associates and Area to bring this theme to life.
Adding to the excitement, the inaugural Workspace Design Awards will take place live at the show on 25 February 2026, celebrating completed workplace projects from around the world. The Workspace Design Awards are assessed by senior occupiers, developers and workplace transformation leaders, meaning entries are evaluated from the perspective of the people who actually live with the results.
Entry is free and open to architects, interior designers, design consultancies, fit-out companies, occupiers, developers and workplace strategists for projects completed between 1 January 2023 – 30 October 2025. Full details at workspaceshow.co.uk/awards
Workspace Design Show is inviting the industry not just to attend but to participate in a collective showcase of how work can evolve when physical and digital no longer compete but collaborate.
Key Dates
Workspace Design Show London: 25–26 February 2026
Workspace Design Awards Ceremony & Show Party: 25 February 2026
Awards Entry Deadline: 31 October 2025
“Workplaces that Energise, Inspire, and Tell a Human Story” – Judges Reveal What Makes an Award-Winning Entry at the Workspace Design Awards
What makes a winning workplace design? According to the judging panel of the brand-new Workspace Design Awards, it’s not just about glossy finishes and clever layouts; it’s about people, culture, and stories that bring workplaces to life.
Launching at Workspace Design Show (Business Design Centre, London) on 25 February 2026, the Workspace Design Awards will celebrate the very best in completed workplace projects and innovative concepts. From Office Design of the Year to Sustainable Workplace and Best Retrofit, the awards spotlight real-world impact and spatial excellence, judged exclusively by senior occupiers, developers, and project managers.
What the judges are looking for:
- “A clear purpose and compelling narrative, with originality and killer imagery.” – Paula Rowntree, Head of Workplace Design, Future Workplace, Lloyds Banking Group
- “Creativity that brings culture to life, reflecting the personality of the organisation and its people.” – Sue Glew, Programme Director, BT
- “Stories that sweep us from vision to ribbon-cutting – with honesty, humour, and human impact.” – James Saunders FCIOB, Global Projects Director, Arcadis
- “Spaces that energise, motivate and make people feel seen and inspired.” – Kornélia Kiss, Global Workplace Transformation Lead, Sanofi
- “Honesty, creativity, and a touch of bravery — if it makes us smile, nod, or even debate, it’s a winner.” – Lewis Barker, Director, Workplace Services EMEA, ServiceNow
- “Aesthetics matter, but function, inclusivity, wellbeing and biophilic balance are what make a workplace truly work.” – Steve Wright, Director of Workplace Design & Change Management, GSK
- “Spaces that are human-centred, not ego-centred — balancing function with flair and sparking joy every day.” – Diego Henriques, Global Director Workplace, Facilities & Real Estate, Reckitt
- “Workplaces should be inviting, flexible and sustainable — the kind of places people want to commute to.” – James Stratford, Head of Workplace, AXA XL
- “Design that truly works for people – supporting wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, with genuine sustainability impact.” – Sarah Audsley, Independent Workplace Professional
- “The best designs treat people as the real building material — culture, behaviour, and belonging matter more than shiny gimmicks.” – Jennifer Bryan, Founder, ABChange Consultancy
Key Dates
- Entries open: 1 September 2025
- Entry deadline: 17 October 2025
- Shortlist announced: 6 January 2026
- Awards Ceremony: 25 February 2026, Business Design Centre, London
Entry is free and open to architects, interior designers, design consultancies, fit-out companies, occupiers, developers and workplace strategists for projects completed between 1 January 2023 – 30 October 2025.
For guidelines and submission details, visit https://workspaceshow.co.uk/awards
Designs with Distinction – Workspace Design Awards to Launch at the 2026 London Edition of Workspace Design Show!
Workspace Design Show (25 – 26 February 2026, Business Design Centre, London) announces the launch of the Workspace Design Awards, a brand-new awards programme dedicated exclusively to celebrating outstanding workplace design and its impact on business. The 2026 London edition of the Workspace Design Show will see the first awards take place on 25 February 2026, giving recognition to architectural innovation, user experience and creativity that is redefining how, where, and why we work.
Workspace Design Show is a must-attend event for the commercial interiors community and this new awards programme expands the Workspace Design Show offering, creating a new platform to honour both completed workplace projects and visionary designs.
What sets the Workspace Design Awards apart is its commitment to real end user impact and evaluation, as such the judging panel will be exclusively composed of corporate occupiers, developers, and project management firms, bringing a rounded assessment of entries. Judges include, Steve Wright, Director of Workplace Design & Change Management, GSK, Helena Hughes, Director, Global Occupier Services, Savills, James Stratford, Head of Workplace, AXA XL, Sarah Audsley, Partner, Knight Frank and others.
The awards ceremony will be hosted by Alys Bryan, Editor, Design Insider and Anna King, CEO and Founder, Informare and will be held in a beautifully designed feature space within the show, brought to life by leading architects and designers. Guests can expect an evening of celebration, complete with drinks, canapés, and a lively atmosphere, coupled with the opportunity to connect with the industry.
“The awards are an incredibly exciting opportunity for the whole industry to celebrate and recognise the people shaping and developing the future of our workplace environments. We wanted to create a platform that champions not just creative vision, but also practical impact where innovation truly meets the needs of today’s workforce,” said Co-founder, Workspace Design Show, Esha Bark-Jones .
Entrants will have the opportunity to showcase their projects to a panel of influential judges, with winners gaining recognition from leading workplace clients and earning a category win that celebrates their creative and professional impact.
Submissions for the Workspace Design Awards will open soon 1 September 2025 for more information, visit https://workspaceshow.co.uk/awards
Project Spotlight: SharkNinja’s Feng Shui-Inspired Workplace by Peldon Rose
SharkNinja, a leading U.S.-based consumer products company known for its innovative home appliances, were looking to establish a new EMEA headquarters in London, near the iconic Battersea Power Station. They envisioned a space that reflected their dynamic brand and was rooted in the principles of Feng Shui. We were entrusted to bring this vision to life, delivering a new workspace at 50 Electric Boulevard that embodies SharkNinja’s commitment to innovation, well-being and continuous improvement for their people and products.
A new London home for an innovative household name
SharkNinja wanted to find the perfect location for their new office, ideally located close to Battersea Power Station and their existing Engineering and Product Development hub. Working collaboratively across continents between SharkNinja, ourselves and JAC Group, 50 Electric Boulevard was chosen as the ideal building. Just a 60-second walk to the iconic Power Station, it was the prime location for the international consumer brand. This project was the first fit out in the new Foster & Partners building, spanning across two floors totalling 31,833 sq ft. Being the first fit out, it required meticulous and careful planning, achieved through a close relationship with the landlord, aligning on materials and plans to ensure compliance and sustainability.
A dynamic space designed to showcase brilliance
The third floor of SharkNinja’s bold new workspace is dedicated primarily to showrooms and client interactions, featuring flexible demonstration spaces where retailers can experience products firsthand. A state-of-the-art test kitchen allows an in-house chef to create recipes using prototype Ninja products. To provide a working kitchen in a commercial building, we installed a bespoke industrial extraction fan into the space, a unique challenge that involved external venting solutions. A beauty bar replicates a working salon for Shark haircare demonstrations, while an electric BBQ area provides a space for Ninja’s electric barbecue range to be displayed. A large showroom that can be divided into two rooms with bi-folding doors showcases SharkNinja’s diverse product range.
Across both floors, workspaces, tea points, and collaborative areas foster a productive environment. Tea points are imbued with SharkNinja’s branding, featuring accent colours that support the company’s main colourway. In the client facing spaces, ceilings and M&E elements are also painted SharkNinja’s signature teal, immediately establishing their identity. Timber finishes and stone flooring in the reception areas establish a high-end feel representative of the company's status.
About Peldon Rose:
Peldon Rose is London’s leading office design and build expert. Its team of workplace strategists and specialists create workplaces that deliver business value, while providing exceptional everyday experiences for the people who use them.
Through a bespoke end-to-end service, Peldon Rose rapidly gains an understanding of business needs, and then designs and delivers industry-leading solutions. Throughout the process, the team provide a consistently uplifting experience for clients and their people.
They achieve this by sparking joy, enabling purpose, inspiring belief and building connections through the spaces and relationships created every day.
WDS London Featured On The Workplace Design Magazine
Workspace Design Show featured On The Workplace Design Magazine. Read about it here
WDS London Featured On Industry Today
Workspace Design Show featured on Industry Today. Read about it here.
WDS London Featured On Design Insider
Workspace Design Show featured on Design Insider. Read about it here.
Workspace Design Show London Featured On Trending Now
Workspace Design Show featured on Trending Now. Read about it here
The Rise of 'Workplace Hospitality': How Offices Are Adopting Hotel-Inspired Amenities
As the traditional office undergoes a radical transformation, UK businesses are increasingly taking cues from the hospitality sector to reimagine their workplaces. From curated lounge areas and on-site wellness centres to concierge-style services and artisanal cafés, a new wave of design thinking—coined 'workplace hospitality'—is reshaping the employee experience.
No longer simply a place to clock in and out, the office is becoming a destination in its own right. In a post-pandemic world marked by hybrid work and heightened expectations around wellbeing, employers are investing in hotel-inspired features to entice staff back into the physical workspace.
A New Standard in Employee Experience
Workplace hospitality is about more than aesthetics; it's a strategy rooted in creating comfort, convenience, and community. According to Gensler’s latest UK Workplace Survey, employees who work in offices with hospitality-driven features report higher levels of engagement, satisfaction, and brand connection.
Firms such as Deloitte, PwC, and Spotify have already introduced hospitality-grade amenities in their London headquarters. These include barista-run coffee bars, meditation rooms, and concierge desks that handle everything from dry cleaning to dinner reservations. It's a shift that recognises people’s changing relationship with work—and places emphasis on holistic experiences rather than rigid routines.
Designing with Purpose
Architectural and design studios are also playing a pivotal role in shaping this trend. Practices like BDG architecture + design, TP Bennett and BDP are leading the charge by designing offices that blur the lines between work, leisure, and lifestyle. Soft lighting, plush furnishings, and open-plan social zones now sit alongside traditional desks and meeting rooms.
One standout example is Unilever’s London headquarters, which incorporates a central 'living room' space complete with informal seating, calming greenery, and ambient lighting—designed to feel more like a boutique hotel than a corporate HQ.
“The idea is to create spaces where people want to be,” says one senior designer at a leading UK firm. “If we can make the workplace as comfortable and desirable as a co-working club or a high-end hotel, we can improve not just productivity, but also talent retention and wellbeing.”
Wellbeing and Work-Life Integration
Another key driver of this trend is the growing emphasis on health and wellbeing. Many workplaces are now integrating spa-style features such as aromatherapy rooms, fitness studios, nap pods, and even in-house nutritionists. Companies are increasingly aware that supporting mental and physical wellbeing is not just a perk, but a performance driver.
Moreover, concierge services—once reserved for hotel lobbies—are gaining popularity in offices across the UK. These offerings, which might include package delivery management, event booking, or travel arrangements, aim to reduce life admin and free up mental space for employees.
The Future of Work, Reimagined
Workplace hospitality is part of a broader shift towards experience-centric design—an approach that aligns with evolving employee expectations and employer branding strategies. With talent attraction and retention continuing to be a top priority, particularly in competitive sectors like tech, finance and creative industries, the office must now work harder than ever to deliver value.
As hybrid working becomes the norm, the office will no longer be compulsory—but it can still be compelling. And by borrowing from the best of hospitality, UK employers are setting a new benchmark for what that compelling experience should look like.