Location: Marylebone, London
Size: approximately 200 sqm
Type: Boutique retail
Floors: Two
Project stage: Bare/incomplete shell
Services: Interior architecture, retail design, bespoke joinery, lighting, materials, technical design, contractor coordination
The Brief
Following the success of a series of pop-up stores we designed for PLATFORM, we were invited to create the brand’s permanent store on Marylebone Lane.
The brief was to bring together the energy of New York with the character of a Parisian boutique, creating a distinctive setting for independent designers across fashion, interiors and art.
The Challenge
The project began with an incomplete commercial shell across two floors. The space had bare walls, ceilings and floors, a partially finished staircase and none of the essential services required for the finished store, including electricity, air conditioning, fresh-air supply or a bathroom.
The unconventional floor plan also had to accommodate very different functions: fashion and accessories on the ground floor, with homeware, art, storage and supporting facilities on the lower level.
The Design
The ground floor was developed as the main expression of PLATFORM’s identity, with the layout organised around fashion, accessories and the individual designers represented within the store.
Rather than treating each brand as a separate concession, we used changes in colour, display and spatial definition to give larger collections their own presence while keeping the interior visually connected.
The irregular plan became part of the design. Elements used to define different areas also incorporated discreet storage, allowing the practical requirements of the shop to become part of the architecture rather than added afterwards.
Materials were selected with PLATFORM’s commitment to sustainability and ethical design in mind, while bespoke joinery and display elements gave the store its own character.
From Shell to Opening
Our involvement extended from the initial interior architecture and spatial planning through bespoke joinery, lighting, materials and technical design to coordination during the fit-out.
The joinery was fabricated on site by the contractor, allowing the details to be developed closely with the realities of the existing building as the project progressed.
What began as an incomplete shell was transformed into a two-storey permanent home for PLATFORM and the independent designers it represents in Marylebone.
Planning a retail project in London? We work with independent brands on boutiques, pop-ups and permanent stores, from early design through to fit-out. Get in touch to discuss your project.
