Fred Rigby Studios / Oliver Heath / LESTRANGE, London
LESTRANGE’s aim has been to meld practical and accessible shopping with biophilic natural design
Words By Emily Martin
Images by Felix Speller
PROJECT INFO
Interior design Fred Rigby Studio www.fredrigbystudio.com
Client LESTRANGE
Biophilic design Oliver Heath www.oliverheath.com
Size 70 sq m
Open date May 2023
THIS MAY saw menswear brand LESTRANGE open its new store in Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross, London, with interior design by Fred Rigby Studio. The new space combines natural textures and repurposed materials throughout, with the brand also commissioning Oliver Heath to deliver a biophilic blueprint; the result is an interior design which provides a biophilic haven for visitors to the store, complete with its very own indoor garden.
Having worked on previous projects together both designer and client were able to develop a brief which took on key elements of branding. Fred Rigby, founder of Fred Rigby Studio expalins: ‘Our key focus was to create an interior reflective and encompassing the brand’s ethos along with incorporating biophilic elements; a space which would have a natural palette and sensibilities whilst featuring key touch points which draw the customer through and around the space.’
The new biophilic blueprint looks to introduce an essential connection to nature within LESTRANGE stores, reimagining the traditional retail experience by evoking a strong sense of place and belonging, and an immersive feeling of comfort and tranquillity. Appealing to the sensory experience at every touchpoint, the biophilic elements extend from the lighting to the materiality and even audio experience of the space.
Known for its sustainable values, including doubling the lifespan of clothing through washing, the brand invited Fred Rigby Studio to use the area’s heritage and architectural bones of the space as a blank canvas to tell the story of LESTRANGE. It used a regenerative approach to the store design, combining natural textures, locally sourced and repurposed materials with subtle colour accents, sensory elements and, of course, biophilia.
More and more designers are incoporating more natural tones and material choices in their work, attempting to merge modern convenience with nature’s touch to reconnect visitors to something often lacking in modern life
‘We were inspired by the spaces and artworks created by Charlotte Perriand, Albert Frey, Richard Long, Piet Oudolf and Carl Andre,’ explains Rigby. ‘These pieces worked as a starting point as we designed and created the space. Another key inspiration was the customer’s journey, imagining and tracing them navigating the space, creating subtle touch points which lead to the clothing and creating a story around the materiality of the garments.’
More and more designers are incoporating more natural tones and material choices in their work, attempting to merge modern convenience with nature’s touch to reconnect visitors to something often lacking in modern life
Repurposed felled wood from London Planes trees cocoons and partitions the space whilst also finding new life in bespoke furnishings peppered throughout. Sourced from Fallen & Felled, which transform storm-stricken and diseased trees into hardwood timber, the studio celebrates the beauty of the natural grain in its design concept, nodding to the surrounding ecology of the store.
More and more designers are incoporating more natural tones and material choices in their work, attempting to merge modern convenience with nature’s touch to reconnect visitors to something often lacking in modern life
At the heart of the space sits The Meadow; a spectacle and showstopper for anyone visiting. It features a curation of natural dried blooms and grasses, conceived by award-winning garden designer Lottie Delamain. The fauna was carefully chosen for its rooted connections to the fibre and flax used in apparel, and cues have been taken from iconic Dutch garden design Piet Oudolf’s ‘New Perennial’ movement, where compositions were crafted in symbiosis with nature, using bold drifts of herbaceous perennials and grasses chosen for their structures rather than aesthetics.
‘I love the island,’ comments Rigby. ‘We designed in the centre of the store; it incorporates the beautiful garden as well as discrete packaging and the point of sale counter. We didn’t want to create a traditional till area so the customer didn’t feel forced or rushed so they could enjoy the retail experience in the store.’
Natural dried blooms and grasses inhabit The Meadow, designed by Lottie Delamain
The island is constructed from London Planes wood with a countertop made from recycled plastic yoghurt pots by Smile Plastics, seamlessly housing the cash desk creating a space that feels immediately more fluid than transactional. Wall finishes come courtesy of Cornwall-based sustainable brand Clayworks’ blend of unfired clays which, when mixed with minerals and pigments, create one of the most sustainable plasters on the market.
Rigby’s brief for the changing rooms was to create a nurturing oasis of sorts, referencing Japanese design elements. The capacious opentopped changing rooms feature forest sound speakers which offer a spa-like ambience, harmoniously complemented by discreet wall lights which cast a subtle glow.
The natural design choices do not hinder the more practical requirements of providing display spaces
Throughout the store, a mirage of delicate Japanese inspired paper lampshades, suspended at different heights throughout the store to create a soft, unassuming atmosphere throughout. Central to the space is a large Cabinet of Curiosities designed to showcase an ever-evolving curation of brands, artists, projects and products.
Coal Drops Yard is the fourth permanent store designed by Fred Rigby Studio as part of the designer’s ongoing collaboration with LESTRANGE, which has seen it develop low footprint and modular-led pop-up and permanent spaces for the brand in Notting Hill, Soho and Spitalfields. The studio has also unveiled the design concept for the brand’s first international store in Amsterdam.
KEY SUPPLIERS
London Plane Wood
Fallen and Felled
Counter Tops
Smile Plastics
Alcove Wall Finishes
Clayworks
