Chelsea Harbour aims for dramatic visitor experience

A major refurbishment of Chelsea Harbour Design Centre in London is set for completion later this summer, featuring interiors by Din Associates and Rabih Hage, and a series of installations by All of Us.

The project is part of a plan by the centre’s owner, property group Marcol, to broaden its appeal to a wider design, architectural and retail audience.

Din Associates has reconfigured and modernised the interiors of the showrooms, which are housed across three glass-domed atriums, each with three floors of exhibition space. The consultancy has also developed an interior scheme for the café, while interior designer and architect Rabih Hage has overhauled the members-only Design Club area. Hage’s scheme carves the space into a library, work space, meeting area and technology zone.

All of Us was brought in a year ago to conceive a series of environmental, interior and installation designs that will act as ambient displays, interactive information points and wayfinding systems.

The group is designing a reception desk fitted with LED lights housed behind a curved Corian front (see picture). These lights will allow projections of ambient animations and visuals, according to All of Us interaction director Orlando Mathias.

‘The brief we got was a vision to make this space “the” design centre for London. There is a huge budget with lots of redesign work,’ says Mathias. ‘We’re planning to make the most of the physical features of the space, such as the atriums and balustrades, to create a dramatic visitor experience and raise awareness of the facilities and showrooms.’

The interior projects are set for completion in September.

A redesign of the website by All of Us will launch later this month at www.chelsea-harbour.co.uk.