Whittaker Parsons collaborated with Gentle Monster, a Korean sunglasses brand, to realise their first European Flagship Store and offices in central London, a minutes’ walk from Oxford Circus.
The store sits on the corner of Argyll and Little Argyll Street, in the former Dickins and Jones department store, a Grade II Listed building. The project combines two retail units spanning three floors, creating a gallery to showcase Gentle Monster’s sculptures and sunglasses.
The store opened its doors in the summer 2018 and won the FRAME Award for a single-brand store of the year.
Working closely with Max Fordhams, a new perimeter service strategy was developed to enable the existing suspended ceilings to be removed to expose and reinstate the grand interior volumes and historical cornices.
The new interventions, such as the precast concrete, oak and bronze staircase to the rear of the plan, references the existing materiality of the building but also seeks to unify the bold materials selected across two retail floors in the sculptures and display stands.
'I have been lucky enough to work with Whittaker Parsons. Whittaker Parsons were the architects of Gentle Monster's London Argyll flagship store (opened in July 2018), and they successfully managed the project.
Whittaker Parsons have very deep understanding of how to get customers' attention, using brand marketing and store design strategy. They suggested powerful methods which related to the layout plan, colour tones and material selection. Thanks to their efforts, Gentle Monster London Argyll store was chosen the winner of single-brand store of the year at FRAME Awards (February 2019).
The other strong parts of Whittaker Parsons were understanding of construction works and their communication skills. These skills made the project's works go smoothly and led to great results.
Whittaker Parsons's abilities and their very kind and enthusiastic personality make them a passionate company that I can certainly recommend.'
Gentle Monster, 2018
Photo Credit: as built Max Creasy
Photo Credit: on-site photos Matt Grayson
Whittaker Parsons collaborated with Gentle Monster, a Korean sunglasses brand, to realise their first European Flagship Store and offices in central London, a minutes’ walk from Oxford Circus.
The store sits on the corner of Argyll and Little Argyll Street, in the former Dickins and Jones department store, a Grade II Listed building. The project combines two retail units spanning three floors, creating a gallery to showcase Gentle Monster’s sculptures and sunglasses.
The store opened its doors in the summer 2018 and won the FRAME Award for a single-brand store of the year.
Working closely with Max Fordhams, a new perimeter service strategy was developed to enable the existing suspended ceilings to be removed to expose and reinstate the grand interior volumes and historical cornices.
The new interventions, such as the precast concrete, oak and bronze staircase to the rear of the plan, references the existing materiality of the building but also seeks to unify the bold materials selected across two retail floors in the sculptures and display stands.
'I have been lucky enough to work with Whittaker Parsons. Whittaker Parsons were the architects of Gentle Monster's London Argyll flagship store (opened in July 2018), and they successfully managed the project.
Whittaker Parsons have very deep understanding of how to get customers' attention, using brand marketing and store design strategy. They suggested powerful methods which related to the layout plan, colour tones and material selection. Thanks to their efforts, Gentle Monster London Argyll store was chosen the winner of single-brand store of the year at FRAME Awards (February 2019).
The other strong parts of Whittaker Parsons were understanding of construction works and their communication skills. These skills made the project's works go smoothly and led to great results.
Whittaker Parsons's abilities and their very kind and enthusiastic personality make them a passionate company that I can certainly recommend.'
Gentle Monster, 2018
Photo Credit: as built Max Creasy
Photo Credit: on-site photos Matt Grayson
