CIRCuIT Demonstrator

The 4,250 square metre superstore was designed by Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners and constructed in 1987. A notable example of High Tech Architecture, the structure consists of a central 95.7m spine, supported by a 33m tower mast, as well as a trestle to the rear.

The store itself is set to close, and is expected to be demolished.

Grimshaw and OPS considered the prospect of losing this phenomenal structure a great shame, and began a work on a research project with the view of saving it.

The team devised a methodology to disassemble, store and reconstruct the building elsewhere. This would create an extremely cost effective new space with minimal new material outside of the foundations, while retaining the heritage of the structure.

Read more about the wider CIRCuIT project here.

Location: Brentford, UK

Architect: Grimshaw

Structural Engineer: OPS Structures Ltd

Study Conducted: 2021