Ben Mailen
Architect & Managing Director
Selfridges Designer Studio
Hewn designed and delivered the refurbishment of the Grade I listed building's third floor, transforming it into a flexible, high-performance retail environment that celebrates the structure's original character.
Sector
Retail
Location
Marylebone, London
Client
Selfridges
Year
2016
Services →
Architectural design
Interior architecture
Planning & regulatory support
Technical design & delivery
Post-occupancy support
Project management
Collaborators →
Nulty Lighting
Campaign Design
WB Shiels
Dula
Project overview
Selfridges Designer Studio redefines the conventional department store model, establishing an open and adaptable retail landscape that supports continuous change in brand, layout and display. The space is organised as a clear, legible floorplate where circulation, visibility and flexibility underpin the customer experience. Existing structural elements are exposed to form a consistent architectural backdrop, allowing new interventions to operate as independent insertions within the plan. This approach enables the environment to accommodate evolving merchandising strategies while maintaining coherence, supporting both operational efficiency and a more curated high end retail experience.
Design strategy
Hewn’s design establishes a stripped-back, gallery-like environment that supports a more fluid and experimental retail model. By reducing the space to its structural shell, exposed columns, brickwork and reclaimed daylight create a consistent architectural framework that allows change to happen without requiring constant reconfiguration of the base build. Within this, a series of commissioned installations by Gary Card, Patternity, UVA and Anna Lomax act as spatial anchors, organising the floor through moments of visual focus rather than fixed partitions. Flexible display systems, including movable rails and adaptable plinths, allow brands to shape their own presence while maintaining overall coherence. Integrated lighting, services and circulation strategies support this flexibility, enabling the space to respond quickly to shifting brand adjacencies, seasonal edits and evolving customer behaviour.
“Selfridges Designer Studio reflects a shift in how retail environments are being understood and experienced. We wanted to find the balance between creating a space that could adapt to changing commercial realities while still feeling deeply rooted in material quality, craftsmanship and the heritage of the building itself.”
Materiality
Existing concrete columns and exposed brickwork are left untreated, establishing a robust and legible base layer that anchors the space. Against this, new insertions are defined through precise joinery, pale timber plinths and stone display surfaces that provide a neutral but refined setting for product. Metal detailing and integrated lighting systems reinforce durability while maintaining visual clarity. This layered approach allows materials to perform both aesthetically and functionally, supporting long-term use while accommodating frequent reconfiguration.
Client testimonial
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