Project Gallery
John Lewis, Oxford Street
THE DEVELOPMENT John Lewis has fifty shops across the UK, with a flagship department store presence on Oxford Street since 1864. As part of the preparations for the expected increase in footfall on Oxford Street with the opening of Crossrail in December 2018 the respected retailer is undertaking development works to the external facia of the building.
THE BRIEF The works required the installation of a full scaffolding structure covering the main two main elevations. Understandably John Lewis was concerned about the risk of passers by assuming the store was closed and the resulting loss of business. Embrace Building Wraps were instructed to deliver the giant wrap for John Lewis by the main building contractor Conamar Building Services. We have the experience and skill sets in place to deliver such a large scale project at a unique and busy location,
THE SOLUTION Working closely with Conamar and AGS Scaffolding Services the scaffold frame was made available for us to wrap in four separate phased sections, measuring 614 m2, 597.5 m2, 597.5 m2 and 684 m2 individually. This can present a number of operational challenges in ensuring that the four sections align perfectly and that the joins cannot be seen. Usually with this type of large scale project the fully installed scaffolding is handed over to us at the same time so that the various individual dimensions for each section can be measured exactly. This allows us to manufacture the banner as one item precisely before installing in sections and joining. Uniquely with this project the scaffolding had to be handed over in phases and we were still able to print the four banners separately and ensure a perfect match and fit.
The Embrace team ensured the design aligned correctly as each banner was installed, using printed flaps to hide all of the fixings & ties. With the use of heavy duty Velcro the flaps we encapsulated the unsightly ties and fixings to give the wrap a totally seamless appearance of the completed 2,500 m2 banner. We also delivered a customised solution to ensure that in-situ heavy duty wires and cables required for Christmas lighting could remain in place at either end of the building. Through careful measurement and pinpoint accuracy we were able to manufacture slits that could be resealed to allow a safe and neat install on the corners. The end result is nothing short of spectacular and is one of the most striking creative designs we have installed. Throughout the works the John Lewis flagship is clearly open for business and remains a positive, eye-catching statement for Oxford Street shoppers.