The revamp of the market stalls and food units by Foster + Partners Industrial Design enhances the quality and reinforces the unique identity of one of London's most vibrant and long-standing covered markets.
The challenge was to offer a sense of coherence to the market stalls whilst also being flexible in layout. Designed as modular objects, the new stalls can be orientated and combined to suit different product displays, with racks and shelving, and storage at the base. In the evenings, they can be easily folded up and stored if the event space is required.
Materiality was an important consideration, the ash timber frames have a light appearance which will darken over time, while the hinge details, trims, hanging rail and accessories are made in brass, which develops a beautiful dark oxidised finish.The market stalls are arranged around a central island containing ten new food units made with a prefabricated modular steel frame and a natural material palette that relates to the surroundings. The practice has also designed benches and stools for the market with ash timber and a steel frame.