The Department Store

For this 2018 National RIBA award winning project, architect and design practice Squire & Partners restored and reinvigorated a dilapidated Edwardian department store in Brixton, to create a series of inspiring work and event spaces for their multi-disciplinary practice, as well as a series of external creative and retail units.

Taking the existing fabric of the building and layers of history as their cue, the sensitive design reverses years of neglect, revealing original brickwork, stone, marble and terracotta on the building’s exterior along with original interior elements such as mahogany and teak parquet flooring, a grand tiled staircase, the original patina of colours and found artworks and graffiti left by party goers and squatters. Bespoke desks and storage systems celebrate the world of craft and making and provide elegant workspaces for team collaboration. Lighting is carefully considered and subtle, with focused light at workspaces provided by a series of Anglepoise® Original 1227™ Brass and Type 75™ desk lamps.