Al-Jawad Pike Selfridges Information Desk

millimetre were commissioned by Selfridges & Co to make an information desk designed by Al-Jawad Pike Architects.

Al-Jawad Pike have designed a silicon bronze desk that perfectly compliments the elaborate decorative scheme of the Beaux-Arts entrance of Selfridges’ Grade II listed frontage. The Oxford Street entrance is widely recognised as a ‘masterpiece’ of decorative arts and crafts and the reception desk is situated front of house below an Eduardo Paolozzi sculpture of Josephine Baker.

The fascia of the information desk is sand cast silicon bronze, a textured bronze countertop is backed with dark grey Valchromat cabinetry with a charcoal linoleum work surface. A hand finished texture has been re-applied to match the surface grain from the casting process and the final patinated finish is waxed to cope with the wear and tear of it’s busy environment.

The technical challenges of the project relate to the overall weight of the silicon bronze, shrinkage during the casting process and developing a panel based system to allow for installation, movement and tolerance.

Partners

Al-Jawad Pike Architects

Selfridges & Co

Maybrey Reliance

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Photography: ©Glasshopper*