Award-Winning: M&S Stratford
When Westfield Stratford City opened in 2011, Marks and Spencer was chosen as one its anchor stores – and Pentagram’s William Russell was brought in to work on their four stories of retail space.
Alongside a large team of collaborators, he helped design the customer journey, including storefronts, display windows, lighting, macro-signage and way-finding. And the store was recently honoured at the 2012 Retail Week Interior Awards, picking up the prize for Best Department Store Design.
Russell’s work included the now-iconic external signage, with its louvred screen to the cantilevered café at the top of the building. This integral element provides shading while retaining views out across Stratford.
Rising through the naturally lit central atrium of the store, a dramatic timber and steel screen installation connects all levels, arcing up and across the skylight at the top. The screen incorporates a series of large illuminated display boxes, which showcase the retail offer on each level.
On receiving the award, Russell said, “We really enjoyed working with M&S and being given the opportunity to work on such a landmark project.”
Project team: William Russell, Partner-in-charge and Architect; Associate: Sarah Adams; Jonathan Douglas, Tiziana Falchi, Ali Tabrizi