REIMAGNING RETAIL SPACE 

Studio BAD are working with a small, independent ice cream parlour in Gosport, Hampshire, to investigate a suitable refurbishment for their corner retail unit on the High Street. The shop had recently had a new Upvc frontage installed, which is unsuitable for the conservation areas in which it is located.

We are working on a feasibility study for the existing ice cream parlour to investigate alternative, cost effective ways to update the shop that can offer a striking but suitable look for the unit which elevates its historic place.

Our designs concept looks to take advantage of the corner plot, wrapping the retail offer around the shop with a corner opening window from the High Street and along the adjacent alleyway to maximise the selling area. By installing a high bar counter at the window sill level this can work internally as serving space, extended externally as a place to serve customers or for outside seating. An awning would give a great visual reference for the shop, extending out onto the High Street whilst also offering a practical need to offer shelter and allowing for extra outside seating.

For the exterior of the shop it is important to clad it in something suitable for the setting, we have investigated materials such as timber shingles to add texture and warmth, alongside the idea of mosaic tiles. Gosport has a long history of using clay and tiles in its architecture, tiles where historically used externally to decorate significant buildings such as public houses, which we feel would give the shop a suitable cladding which added interest and heritage to the exterior. To add a contemporary twist to the interior we are looking at adding a neon signage to the frontage, contrasting nicely with the cladding.