The Department Store

A dilapidated Edwardian department store in London has been entirely reimagined to allow the existing fabric and layers of history to inform the new design. Collaborating with craftspeople and furniture makers, the restored building provides an array of spaces for the various design disciplines within the architecture & design practice. Stripping the building back to its raw state revealed a decayed grandeur and an extraordinary commitment to craft and detail by the original artisans. The practice sought to reveal and highlight these elements – in their found state – as well as exposing remnants left by more recent inhabitants, whilst adding a series of contemporary interventions in order to repurpose the building as an inspiring modern workspace. On the exterior, design solutions focussed on reversing years of neglect to reactivate the street level. Incrementally added shopfronts and layers of paint were removed to reveal original brickwork, stone, marble and terracotta. A grand mahogany central stair was revealed when an existing lift shaft was removed, uncovering original elements such as decorative metalwork, carved mahogany handrails and green patterned tiles. These were restored and a new hovering brass handrail added to meet current Building Regulations. A new rooftop level was added to provide a 5,000sqft restaurant and bar space for the staff and public for dining, socialising and events. The dramatic space is constructed of green oak frame with coffered ceilings rising to frameless rooflights. The bar is a continuous run of untreated pewter, high solid oak tables provide a relaxed area socialising, partnered with black timber Ercol bar stools and the lounge area is marked by a full height copper clad wall and two silk/wool rugs created by Laguna using Eley Kishimoto’s a pattern derived from an existing glass rooflight. Lounge seating includes a large Minotti Freeman sofa, and ottomans by Carl Hansen, and solid oak hourglass shaped stools by Benchmark. Large doors allow access to a south-facing terrace and the tower, a new private dining space beneath a modern glass dome. At ground level a striking reception area and active modelshop animate the street, while a triple height void and central landscaped courtyard provide breathing space. Original Burmese teak flooring dating from 1906 was revealed and restored, complemented by two handmade rugs by Laguna, which feature patterns designed by Brixton based designers Eley Kishimoto following explorations into motifs found within the original building. A collection of furniture documents design classics produced throughout the lifespan of The Department Store from 1906 to the 1950’s, including Klint Addition sofas with personalised bronze plaques which were revived from the Carl Hansen archives and a Knoll daybed by Mies van der Rohe. Mixed with these classics is an antique display case sourced from specialist furniture company D&A Binder, and two green Munna Babe armchairs. A 6.5m long bespoke reception desk, conceived as a haberdashery display, was created in collaboration with specialist cabinet makers Interior iD and material artists Based Upon. A series of Tramazite panels - a unique resin/metal composite – are encased within a mahogany frame to create a showcase with an evolving display related to current projects within the office Generous social event spaces are at lower ground floor, along with cycle storage, changing rooms and showers, with workspaces on first to third floors supported by a series of breakout areas. Meeting spaces are primarily located within the nose of the building, and on each annex level to the rear. The overriding concept was to reveal the raw spaces of each room – which vary from hammered and sandblasted brick, to plasterwork and elaborate mouldings – and then add discrete servicing within a suspended ceiling raft, and AV hidden within a bespoke credenza. A series of unique credenzas were developed with specialist joinery company Interior iD, to find modern uses for heritage materials such as burr walnut, or methods such as herringbone marquetry. The decorative doors conceal AV equipment and tea and coffee supplies. The office floors reveal the facets of design undertaken by the practice and expose the process of craft and making. Project areas are designed to act as evolving ‘concessions’ - temporary showcases to the process of design and development. Models, prototypes and explorations document and celebrate a projects journey from concept to realisation. Multiple areas for presentation can be found throughout the office with display cases, shelving, libraries for materials and books, models and explorative studies. Informal meeting areas are provided in every team to encourage communication and mutual support. Collaborating with south London joinery company Opus Magnum, the practice developed a bespoke furniture system led by storage needs. Desking is purpose made in birch faced ply with an individual drawer and matt black linoleum top. Above the desks on black steel frames, a series of high level display boxes allow for personalisation and decoration. Lighting in the workspaces combines a unique version of the Flos Running Magnet system with a bespoke BTC range of fluted glass spheres used as floor, pendant and wall lights. Additional lighting in meeting and breakout spaces include an exclusive limited edition range of Louis Poulson floor and table lights. Exposed services ensure that original ceilings and parquet floors could be revealed. Black and copper power/data cables travel through the building in suspended nickel mesh trays, which feed into copper pipes servicing workstations. Each office floor has a tea point, expressed as a copper lined box encased within a black ply storage wall. Informal tables and seating at tea points and on a series of external terraces encourage interaction between staff. In addition to workspaces for the architects, the practice also created spaces for a series of public uses including the Post Office, Kaboola Café, Pure Vinyl record shop and Canova Hall restaurant. Completed in June 2017, the building provides 6,147sqm of unique workspace along with event, retail and public spaces. Since moving in staff have commented on how the social spaces have changed the way they interact with their colleagues and encouraged them to make new connections, while locals have embraced the revitalisation of a local landmark.