LSN : News : 31 : 07 : 24

Corstorphine & Wright celebrates church heritage with office extension

The Scoop by Corstorphine & Wright, UK

UK – Architecture studio Corstorphine & Wright has unveiled The Scoop, an innovative office extension in London that artfully incorporates a distinctive gouge in its façade to highlight the adjacent Grade II-listed church. This four-storey extension, clad in white glazed bricks, pays homage to the church’s prominent circular window.

Associate Henry Jones told Dezeen that the design deliberately draws attention to the church’s architectural feature, ensuring it remains a celebrated aspect of the Union Street conservation area in Southwark. ‘The church’s circular window is its principal architectural feature, so this was an obvious focus point for our proposal,’ he said.

The office building has been extended both sideways and upwards, with the side extension meeting the corner of the existing office, which extends further into the street than the church. The structure of the extension includes a plasma-cut stainless steel rib framework, filled with stainless steel cassettes that support the individual bricks. Internally, the walls predominantly feature timber stud work, with curved areas constructed from CNC-cut laminated plywood. The Scoop is a great example of innovations shaping spatial design in our Future Spaces topic.

Strategic opportunity

Consider how you can design homes and offices to fit into their neighbourhood by celebrating local history and culture rather than changing its built environment

Nike’s new eyewear gives athletes a psychological edge

Nike Athena and Zeus, US

Nike Athena, US

Global – Nike has launched its latest eyewear innovations, the Nike Athena and Nike Zeus sunglasses, designed to provide athletes with a psychological edge before and after competitions.

With mirroring that wraps from lens to temple, the Nike Athena sunglasses are designed with screwless, ultrasonic bonds and stainless steel temples to create a lightweight frame that allows the lens to sit further from the face, avoiding ‘lash crash’.

Inspired by acupressure points and the ‘look of speed’, the Nike Zeus model offers a mask-like design with advanced ventilation. Worn close to the face, the intricate, fluted perforations on the frames increase air flow to eliminate heat pockets around the nose and cheekbones.

Both styles employ Nike Max Extreme Lens technology for optical clarity and reduced eye fatigue, and are made with 20–40% recycled materials. The glasses were available globally on Nike digital platforms from 24 July.

In Safety Fits, we explored how designers are turning clothes into modern-day armour to protect consumers from social and environmental threats. Nike’s latest eyewear suggests a shift towards brands designing clothes for mental protection too.

Strategic opportunity

Consumers want products that can do more for them. How can you design garments that provide physical or mental protection through features such as acupuncture pressure points, allergen-resistant fabrics or self-defence accessories?

Netflix to open immersive entertainment venues in US malls

US – Netflix has unveiled plans for Netflix House, an immersive retail, food and entertainment destination inspired by some of its most popular series. Scheduled to open in 2025, Netflix House will be located in Pennsylvania’s King of Prussia Mall and the Galleria Dallas in Texas.

‘At Netflix House, you can enjoy regularly updated immersive experiences, indulge in retail therapy and get a taste – literally – of your favourite Netflix series and films through unique food and drink offerings,’ said Netflix chief marketing officer Marian Lee. The first experiences will feature sets and themes from Bridgerton, Money Heist, Stranger Things, Squid Game and Netflix Bites, a dining experience with chefs from Netflix’s cooking shows.

Visitors can expect replica sets, games, restaurants and retail outlets. ‘Imagine waltzing with your partner to an orchestral cover of a Taylor Swift song on a replica Bridgerton set,’ teased the Netflix team.

Each Netflix House will span more than 100,000 square feet and feature eye-catching sculptures and murals, with the aim to bring beloved Netflix stories to life. For more insights on how tomorrow’s entertainment, leisure and retail venues will be all about immersive experiences, head to our Archi-tainment microtrend report.

Netflix House, US

Strategic opportunity

Department stores, malls and similar large retail locations should consider redesigning retail spaces to focus more on experiences rather than just selling products. Interactive displays, live performances and hands-on activities can create a more engaging shopping environment

Stat: LVMH champagne sales plummet as desire to celebrate dwindles

PROMENADE(S) at Frieze London by Eva Jospin for Ruinart, UK

Global – Luxury conglomerate LVMH, known for brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hennessy and Moët & Chandon, has reported a significant downturn in its champagne sales, attributing it to a global decline in the celebratory spirit. According to LVMH’s latest earnings report, its champagne and wine sales fell by 12% year on year in the first half of 2024, generating revenue of £1.18bn ($1.52bn, €1.41bn).

LVMH’s chief financial officer Jean-Jacques Guiony highlighted a ‘severe demand issue’ for champagne, a drink typically associated with celebration and happiness. The company’s prestigious champagne brands, including Veuve Clicquot, Dom Pérignon, Mercier, Krug and Moët & Chandon, have all reported reduced sales.

Guiony speculated that current global circumstances, such as the cost of living crisis or geopolitical tensions, are dampening people’s spirits, resulting in fewer occasions to celebrate with champagne. Despite the decline, US revenue remained above pre-pandemic levels.

At the same time, there is a notable shift in consumer preferences towards non-alcoholic beverages, including champagne, beer and spirits. This trend is particularly pronounced among Gen Z consumers, as we revealed in Sober Bars.

Strategic opportunity

Tap into consumers’ ‘little treat’ mindset to create affordable products that allow them to enjoy smaller celebrations as they continue to feel financially squeezed