Browns’ new flagship boutique invites visitors to experience the future of retail whilst absorbing the building’s fascinating history and Grade II* listed status.
Working with the design team, we found the best lighting solution to marry with the interior vision and create a captivating experience, while not compromising on the quality of lighting or interfering with the original architecture. The result is a clever and respectful lighting scheme that’s bold and contemporary – an intended design contrast to the traditional look of the building.
The key was to conceal and integrate lighting into the bespoke joinery and frameworks to avoid penetrating the ceilings – like in the iconic ‘Yellow Room’. This vibrant space can go from showcasing women’s collections in the day to hosting an event at night. The lighting is integrated within a contemporary metallic framework and can be modified depending on what’s needed, be it bright and targeted on the merchandise or focused on the centre of the space for an intimate dining experience.
The four-storey boutique has an eccentric floor plan, and the lighting design adapts to the variations in size and style with a mix of integrated lighting in hanging rails, shelving, and niches. In the third-floor VIP space, The Club, light boxes grace the ceiling in the changing rooms, creating dynamic and functional illumination – perfect for looking at and trying on garments. As part of a private retail journey, VIP clients can also select different lighting scenes through interactive touchscreen mirrors.
Connecting the four floors and encouraging movement is a showstopping Dimorestudio designed light structure that extends from the ground floor, drawing the eye up to the atrium. The geometric metal structure combined with neo-looking LED lighting tubes evokes a modern twist within the historical setting.
The joy of Browns Brook Street continues with ‘Native at Browns’ – an ethical and sustainable restaurant. Al fresco dining is always on the menu, courtesy of an atmospheric courtyard where light tubes fall amongst trees for a subtle glow, discreet spotlights illuminate trees, and table lamps create an intimate warmth.
Images © Bozho Gagovski | The retail space – design led by Dimorestudio | Native at Browns (internal) – design led by Red Deer | The Courtyard – design led by Rosebank
