Maris Interiors unveils flexible workspace for multi-brand retail company

Home to a host of big-name brands including Hunter and Juicy Couture, office design and build studio Maris Interiors has reimagined a diverse, multifaceted workspace for retail company Batra Group. The new concept occupies three floors within Fitzrovia’s Arthur Stanley House, which was originally designed by tp bennett in 1965 and later overhauled by architects AHMM. Being recently renovated to BREEAM Excellent standards, the project was undertaken with a light touch, creating a neutral, softly industrial base over which the retail brands could bring their own unique colour and personality.

“The property was beautiful, creating the perfect starting point, and the client was keen to create a working environment that team members enjoy being in and want to be part of,” explains Jose Mercado, design director at Maris Interiors. “The soft touch approach meant we could really focus on the details and get the nuances right, resulting in a space that looks and feels purposeful, stylish and that has scope to evolve with the business.”

The studio opted to take over the ground floor and two subterranean floors, capitalising on the light-filled, triple-height atrium that gives the site an enviable street presence – an important quality given the nature of retail. This emphasis on street presence and creating a stylish base to welcome buyers also prompted the introduction of dynamic vertical welcome screens hung in the windows, showcasing Batra Group’s portfolio of brands. Dedicated screens throughout meeting rooms and showrooms also help the company create personalised spaces and identities for each of its brands, without the need for significant building work or bold furnishings – colour and intrigue instead coming from the products themselves.

Visitors are welcomed at the ground floor reception, where they receive a direct view of the design team’s open-plan workspace, with its floating desks and bespoke joinery that allows the descent of electrical components from the ceiling. After being immersed in this creative workspace, clients and buyers are then led by the sales team down to the ‘Lower Penthouse’, where brand showrooms, storage and an event space awaits (alongside a breakout space and desks for the sales staff).

Responding to one of retail’s main challenges, Maris incorporated plenty of storage solutions in the form of large integrated cabinets and roller racking, where the in-house brands can both store and display current materials or archival products. Further maximising storage and floorspace, the studio also crafted a custom-made moveable stand that doubles as a wall, where work equipment can be concealed from view of clients and customers, as well as a stand for mannequins, a pedestal for bags and shoes and even as multi-level seating for events.