Exterior view
The glass cladding featuring ceramic artwork by Andrew Moor
1:50 model
John Lewis and Partners, Exeter
We transformed a problematic post-war tower in Exeter’s historic city centre into a John Lewis anchor store. The swiftly implemented project followed extensive work to determine the most feasible use of the building for client Land Securities. Earlier options included use as student housing and a budget hotel.
Our design referenced the substantial modernist language of the pre-existing 1960s building, retaining vertical mullions and re-cladding the tower in precast concrete and stone. A new curved-glass corner entrance extension faces Princesshay shopping centre with a permanent ceramic artwork created in collaboration with artist Andrew Moor. The artwork accentuates the dramatic escalator window and, at the same time, provides a more comfortable consumer experience by reducing solar gain into the store.
John Lewis, during construction, upgraded the store from an ‘At Home’ branch to the retailer’s first ‘Small Full Line’ department store. It was the company’s best performing store in its first year of trading.
| Client | Land Securities and John Lewis | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Exeter | |
| Size | 6,038 sq m | |
| Status | Completed 2012 | |
| Awards | BCSC Gold Award 2013, Drapers Best Store Design Award 2013, Drapers Department Store of the Year 2013 | |
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