As the lines between retail and technology continue to blur, the Technology Centre at Harrods gave Gensler the unique opportunity to create an exclusive shopping experience that would feature the very best in innovation and technology.
The 170-year-old Knightsbridge landmark is now undergoing the biggest revamp in its history, spending £200m as part of a four-year investment plan that will keep Harrods at the forefront of retailing. As part of this, Gensler was commissioned to design an exclusive retail experience for its new 3,000m2 Technology Department that would feature the very best in innovation and technology.
Completed in July 2019, the re-fitted area of the fifth floor was originally built as mansion flats during the Edwardian era. Although the mansion flats have been lost, the surviving elements of the Edwardian floor plan have been retained, with alterations to improve customer circulation and experience whilst preserving the historic building fabric.
We incorporated and repurposed the traditional fashion catwalk into the design to showcase the latest brands and their products and to physically connect the five elegantly designed rooms that form part of the Technology Centre.
The result: a warm and exclusive atmosphere reminiscent of Harrods heritage with a contemporary and intimate finish that blurs the boundaries between fashion and technology for a unique retail experience.
Last year more than 40 countries took part in the WIN Awards with strong showings from Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. And we saw some truly outstanding interior designs, take a look at the winners from last year here.