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Urban Angel, Great Western Arcade, Birmingham

Client: Catherine Walsh and John Ivens
Status: Completed December 2004


The project is set within the Grade 2 listed Victorian Great Western Arcade in the heart of Birmingham City Centre for an urban retreat day spa which delivers both express treatments as a response to busy city life, and more leisurely relaxation.

The design is split over 2 floors with a small retail based ground floor area concealing a larger first floor which features a chill out zone, 4 treatment rooms, a spray tan room, as well as ancillary facilities. The whole experience is intended as a mix of eastern philosophies with western tradition, and therefore the interior also addresses this approach.

key points

  • the design also features bespoke joinery such as a retail display unit which showcases key products to passers by
  • traditional shopfront in keeping with the Victorian arcade
  • the graphic design of the shopfront was in keeping with the traditions of the arcade whilst internally the graphics are more contemporary
  • lowered ceiling plane feature lighting with a star-effect lighting arrangement
    chill out room, urban angel, great western arcade, birmingham

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46-47 water street, jewellery quarter, birmingham b3 1hp
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