IKEA Hammersmith
- Location
- London, UK
- Client
- MP Kings Retail S.à r.l.
- Expertise
- Architecture
- Interior Design
- Completion
- 2022
- Size
- 37,000 sq m
- Cost
- £170m
Livat Hammersmith is a complete reimagining of a 1970s shopping centre, transforming it into a community-driven hub that blends nature, social interaction, and experiential retail in a way that truly serves the local neighbourhood.
IKEA is evolving its property strategy, moving from large out-of-town warehouses to city centre locations. This shift aims to offer more than just retail by creating community hubs with entertainment, workspaces, and flexible areas that cater to local needs.
The company is converting malls into lively, multi-use spaces and introducing concepts coworking and events schedules into its business. It's long-term goal is to integrate deeper into urban life, supporting communities and offering unique experiences beyond shopping. This strategy works to revive underused spaces and strengthens IKEA’s urban presence. Our design focused on turning the King's Mall in Hammersmith into a welcoming, naturalised meeting place, with a strong sense of belonging and inclusion at its heart.
At the core of the new development is a set of amphitheatre steps that connect the street level to a large public space above. These steps create a central point for the community, offering a place to watch local events, meet up with friends, or simply take a break. Above the steps, we’ve introduced a piece of green, urban tranquillity; a space that provides a peaceful retreat in the middle of a busy area. It’s designed to improve the sense of wellbeing for those who use it, while encouraging social interaction and engagement.
Using natural materials and biophilic design principles, Livat reinvents the shopping centre as a vibrant community centre. This is not just about retail; it’s about creating a flexible space where people can come together for various activities like yoga, boxercise classes, or even IKEA's furniture hacking workshops. The aim is to encourage a sense of place and identity within the community while offering experiential shopping and entertainment in a setting that feels fresh and relevant.
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“We know that our visitors and the wider community want more spaces in which to meet, shop, socialize and work which are fun, human and eco-friendly. Livat Hammersmith will offer just that. Our urban meeting places have been designed to reflect the needs of those living in city centres, with more regular visits and fewer journeys by car. This new vibrant offer provides places where everyone feels welcome and will be encouraged to come more often to explore amazing experiences while supporting the local community and the planet."
Our approach involved more than just cosmetic changes. We carefully reconfigured the centre’s layout, cutting and carving units and back-of-house areas to maximise the quality of public spaces. By improving pedestrian flow, increasing natural light, and introducing new ways to move between spaces, we've ensured that the mall is as functional as it is inviting.
In the wider context of Hammersmith, Livat Mall is a counterpoint to the large-scale retail offerings just a mile away. Rather than compete, we’ve focused on creating something meaningful for local people; an inclusive, engaging space where they can shop, socialise, and relax. The project is future-proofed to allow for ongoing flexibility, ensuring that the centre can continue to adapt to changing needs and remain a valuable part of the community for years to come.
"Livat Hammersmith is a great example of where we are working to create something important for local people. We are not just enlivening a shopping centre; our goal is to build a strong and vibrant heart for Hammersmith, a welcoming, inclusive space for social interaction, experiential shopping, ‘retailtainment’, eating, drinking, learning, fun and relaxation. A place that the community identifies with, feels part of and genuinely cares for; a place of true, meaningful social cohesion."
