The new John Lewis store in Leicester has architecturally caused quite a stir. The £44million building has been the latest in the cities regeneration program as an extension to the existing Shires shopping mall in the hope of revitalising the shopping experience. Farshid Moussari and Alejandro Zaera Polo (Foreign office architects) say the idea for the building covered in mirror finished swirls and curls is an elaborate facade derived from an old fabric design by Richard Drey a linen draper back in 1803. Concentrating on a design inspired by the cities heritage is an effective idea, but I personally feel it should have been a tiny bit more subtle in order to look just so. However, it has to be stated that the building definitely has impact and will be the point of much discussion. It has also been stated that the design may be a play on traditional Indian decoration, a nod to the city's sizeable Asian population, again this provides a good concept in essence but I feel it has been taken a bit too far! The Guardian have said "It happens to look like a giant box that's been covered in an equally giant pair of tights!" I have to admit that I can see what they mean. The architecture and design is very now, but I can't imagine this trendy pattern having a timeless appeal!
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