Atelier100 Showroom

The first of three new showroom spaces for Atelier100. We were commissioned by the local design initiative (who supported us last year in their inaugural programme) to design a series of adaptable units to house the second collection from 22 designers, ranging from fashion to homeware. The concept we developed for the spatial design is a reimagining of traditional London market stalls, capturing some of the energy and quick thinking you find in those spaces. Considering London’s rich history of making and selling, we were aesthetically inspired by the awnings and structures found in these market stalls that have lined the city’s streets for hundreds of years. We echoed these shapes in a series of adaptable, modular units where the collection pieces can hang, sit and stand at various heights.

Echoing the community spirit of Atelier100’s programme, we wanted the space to be not only a place to sell and pre-order, but also somewhere to gather and explore. Taking advantage of 3 Mare Street’s unusual layout, we created a corner space where a large screen showing behind-the-scenes footage of the makers in their workshops stood next to a reimagined till – one which dropped down into a bench for staff or visitors to sit on. This idea spilled outside, with two aluminium benches flanking the doorway. Similar to the laser-cut A-board (featuring the names of each designer on one side, the other side’s negative space showing where the swing tags had been removed), these benches were weighed down by rocks, a material totem of Mitre & Mondays’ design language.

We collaborated with cause-led branding and communications agency, Templo ↗, on the point of sale elements that guided visitors to learn more about Atelier100, the designers and the collection. Visual merchandising was also a key element to integrate into our spatial design, working closely with the Atelier100 retail team on how objects sat and pieces hung on the structure.