A Touch of Glass

Company: John Lewis Partnership
Sector: Retail
Impact: Corporate identity; Corporate responsibility; Innovation
Sponsor: Architectural Design Manager
Timescale: 3 years from concept to store opening

Project brief

In 2005 John Lewis appointed architects to design and build a flagship store in Leicester city centre as part of a major development project to regenerate the city centre. The design brief was to create a unique and dramatic frontage for the new store reflecting the identity of the city of Leicester, which has a long and significant heritage in the design and production of textiles.

Our customers will literally be amazed at the modern, progressive but distinct retailer that’s landed in their city.
– Andy Street, Managing Director 2008
… the greatest thing for me ... is realising just how much a catalyst for change John Lewis has been in the city.
– Samantha Rowntree, Manager of Retail Projects 2008

Business archives used by the team

  • Original drawing of a textile design, 1803 (from the John Lewis textile archive)

Outcomes and business benefit

  • The textile motif is a huge public relations asset. Customers have learned through local press and in-store about the archival inspiration behind the design.
  • The adaptation of the original textile design and its reproduction on the glass cladding of the building communicates an innovative, distinctive and modern company identity.
  • There was no cost associated with using in-house IP from the company archives as inspiration for the final design.
  • The facade design reflects an aspect of local community history, as Leicester has long been associated with textiles, which helps bind the store to its locality.