Retail display specialist Unibox, has helped Clarks embark upon a full brand update, with the launch of a new base and showroom in London’s Russell Square. Spearheaded by Clarks in house design team at Street, Unibox collaborated with architects Sti & Trevillion and global contractors IDX, to create a marketing and event space to showcase and launch new products.

Dened zones – including formal reception areas and exible showroom space – have been created within this impressive building, using lightboxes to dene each area. After meeting the international shoe manufacturer and retailer at Retail Design Expo, Unibox was brought in for advice on how to incorporate illuminated shelving and lightboxes into their new store concept. The initial brief was to create a shelving system that allowed the retailer to display shoes on single shelves.

In addition, because of the nature of the space, the solution needed to be completely exible to adapt to events, products, promotions, and room layouts. Unibox worked in collaboration with Clarks, and Sti & Trevillion, to bring their creative ideas to life; as well as to achieve an overall high-quality lighting solution for the new space. Unibox began by undertaking initial trials within Clarks’ Street headquarters, where old boiler rooms and galleries have been transformed into mock retail spaces.

Unibox fitted these rooms with lightboxes, non-illuminated shelving, and integrated edge-lit panel lighting to create ‘oating tables’. After approval of the initial trial system, Unibox developed the solution further, integrating a slimline linear light, featuring custom colour temperature and output. Based on their existing Kontakt solution, and adapted to meet the needs of the client, a new shelving system featuring powered tracks and integrated lighting was also manufactured by Unibox in house.

The result is an entirely modular, mobile shelving system which perfectly illuminates each individual shoe shelf. Now installed in the Russell Square showroom, the modular nature of the design means that shelves can easily be swapped out for large graphic lightboxes, with panels that can be moved around the room as required. The custom-built solution provides a exible main space that can be adapted to suit single collection previews or catwalk presentations.

Unibox also worked directly with IDX, the main contractor for the delivery of the retail furniture. Commenting on the project, Unibox MD, Nick Wraith said: “Working in collaboration with the design team at Clarks, as well as the other parties involved, we brought all our retail display insight to the table. But more than that, by engaging Unibox early on in this project, Clarks was able to draw on our technical and product development expertise to come up with a custom-made solution.

“A global concept, due to the enthusiasm for British brands in the US and Asia, Clarks was equally passionate about working with UK manufacturer.” Successful delivery at Russell Square has led to Unibox being contracted to deliver a full and extended Kontakt illuminated display solution into the Manchester and Glasgow pilot stores due to open in April.

Design and photography: Unibox