A Shop that Ripples with the Wind

Debenhams kinetic facade
@Ronrybs (21503)
London, England
March 14, 2019 3:41pm CST
The flagship shop of the Debenhams department store chain, sits on Oxford St, in London. Housed in basically a 1970s concrete box, it was decided, at a cost of £40 million, to improve the buildings outward appearance and increase internal space. The eye catching exterior is made of five inch square aluminium tiles numbering between 180 000 and 187 000, depending on the source. This " kinetic facade" is free to move and in the slightest breeze ripples race across the surface, like waves on a pond. At night the surface is backlight to great effect. I haven't been to Oxford St for a good few years and this is the first time I have seen the new Debenhams with the work being finished in 2013. Good thing I popped up at Bond St Tube station for a spot of lunch! All Photographs copyright the author. Ronrybs
Exterior of the Debenhams building, on Oxford Street, has been covered with 180 000 aluminium tiles. The underlying concrete building, constructed in the 197...
6 people like this
6 responses
DianneN
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
14 Mar 19
It does look like a rippling effect! Very interesting, but where are the windows?
2 people like this
Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (21503)
• London, England
14 Mar 19
This is the back of the building, but you do have me wondering about the front now. Next time I am in Town, I shall have a look
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DianneN
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
14 Mar 19
@Ronrybs Lol! Okay.
1 person likes this
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
10 May 19
I was wondering like Dianne about windows ?
1 person likes this
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
12 May 19
@Ronrybs maybe next time you are there you can look and see ?
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Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (21503)
• London, England
13 May 19
@Tampa_girl7 I hate walking along Oxford St, too many people and far too much traffic
Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (21503)
• London, England
12 May 19
I never been inside this shop and this is the back of the building. I have a feeling there are windows on the front, on Oxford Street
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (502262)
• Italy
15 Mar 19
It is an interesting effect, I hope it does not make noise while moving.
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Anna
@LadyDuck (502262)
• Italy
15 Mar 19
@Ronrybs It would be interesting to be there when the wind blows.
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Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (21503)
• London, England
15 Mar 19
I was standing next to a construction site, so I couldn't hear a thing!
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Gary Marsh
@garymarsh6 (23998)
• United Kingdom
14 Mar 19
Well there is plenty of wind about at the moment to give it a ripple effect. I hope it does not make a noise for the people who work inside. I have not been to Oxford street for many years.
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Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (21503)
• London, England
14 Mar 19
I was standing next to a building site, so I couldn't hear a thing but I did wonder that too
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Jessica
@JESSY3236 (22247)
• United States
15 Mar 19
That's so cool.
1 person likes this
Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (21503)
• London, England
15 Mar 19
Yes, I do like the way modern art and architecture combine
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John Roberts
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
15 Mar 19
I must have walked by that store but do not remember.
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Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (21503)
• London, England
15 Mar 19
It was a nothing special concrete block type of building before. I haven't been around to the front of it, but all I've read indicates the front is decked out the same. Next time I am in the area, I shall brave Oxford St and see
1 person likes this