Architecture

Press, 23 July 1980, Page 18

Architecture

The .design of the arcade according to Warren and MahbrieyJ the architects, is based on two geometric forms, 45 degree diagonals and octagons. -The diagonal theme stems from the 45 degree junction of the arcade from High: Street with the one from Hereford Street with the raking lines of the escalators to the first floor shopping arcade at the intersection. The escalators rise through two octagonal shaped openings in the first floor and above them are four octagonal coned shaped skylights. The octagonal theme is continued through the ceilings of the arcade on both floors with complex suspended shapes of 45

degree planes projecting into the octagon, all built up out of gloss painted panels. The octagonal shapes are repeated in a bold pattern of glazed floor tiles and the diagonals and the heads of. the show windows. ' . ; To unify the elaborate forms, colours, are limited to four — cream, broWn, a yellow-orange and white. Lighting at the f apex of the triangular plants and octagons and construction fascias above the shop fronts give a -sparkle to the arcade. The bulky shapes of es< calators are reduced by a facing of mirror tiles. The over-all effect is one of light colour and complexity.