London, 15th October 2009. Today sees the official opening for business of one of the UK’s most remarkable car showrooms to date; the Japanese, luxury car maker’s Infiniti Centre in Reading. The multi-million pound structure, the first of many planned by Infiniti throughout the UK over the next few years, embraces the principles of Japanese aestheticism and has basically turned the traditional car showroom model on its head.
The collaborative approach to the architecture, design, construction and the fit out of the structure has resulted in a building that maximises both light and space to dramatic effect or to quote Paul Cowton, a director of property and construction consultancy, McBains Cooper, whose company was responsible for delivering the civil and structural design for the 1460 square metre complex, “it’s the most striking luxury car showroom that’s recently been built on British soil”.
“We’ve been working closely with the lead designers LloydNorthover, mechanical and electrical engineers CAD21 and contractors BDB Design Build Ltd to produce a building with a light and tranquil atmosphere. It whispers calmness. The attention to detail has been taken to the extreme resulting in a space not usually associated with car showrooms” continued Cowton.
McBains Cooper’s remit included designing the lattice girders to span the entire width of the showroom. This has provided Infiniti and Rymco who are the appointed dealers, with an area of over 400 square metres free of any visual barriers such as columns. This unimpeded view will encourage natural light to flood in. To further enhance the visual impact, details such as architraves and recessed skirting boards have been minimised.
McBains Cooper also provided the supports for the opaque glazing; 160 three metre by one metre frittered panels. Again, a pared down approach was adopted. “The showroom windows were to be supported with the minimal amount of structural members; maximising the light and enhancing the clean, crisp lines which embody elements of Infiniti’s approach to design” reflects Cowton.
“On first sight of the new structure one instantly thinks of high-end retail rather than automotive as the fritted glazing obscures what’s behind; tempting the customer inside” says Ian Hendricks, Senior Architectural Designer at LloydNorthover. “From the customers’ perspective, the approach and entrance is also very different to normal European showrooms as visitors will experience a reception akin to a boutique hotel – a fusion of European contemporary design and Japanese service excellence,” he added.
Interactive computers and high definition flat screens will complement the bespoke leather Walter Knoll sofas and armchairs and commissioned paintings. With the addition of sophisticated and natural materials the showroom has an open, airy feel; providing a complementary backdrop for the real stars of the show; the cars.
McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Lima (Peru) and Mexico City, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. |
