Parkside Architectural Tiles needed a relaxed, creative hub for the design community in Clerkenwell. The space had to combine showroom, office and exhibition functions in one location, while handling heavy, large-format samples safely and presenting ranges clearly. Working with Feix & Merlin, RED translated the concept into manufacture-ready detail, then produced and installed a light-filled space built for day-to-day use.
The brief
The brief was practical from the start. The space needed to support display, consultation and team use without compromising sample handling or clarity of presentation. Large-format tiles had to be easy to review, safe to move and simple to replace over time. The showroom also needed to feel open and creative, not over-engineered. That meant balancing functional sample systems with a lighter visual approach suited to a Clerkenwell design setting.
Our approach
We handled technical design for manufacturing in-house. RED used renders and mock-ups to test the concept, then developed manufacturing drawings and installation details that would work for both teams and visitors once the space was live.
Prototypes were used to resolve the key details early. Shelf pitch, fixing centres and sample handling on the raked island were all tested before production. Joinery was detailed in laminate-faced plywood boards for durability, while the pegboard walls used CNC-drilled plywood with adjustable steel brackets.
For large-format tiles, powder-coated steel frames were engineered on floor and ceiling tracks. Frames were sized for safe manual handling and even sightlines, with access designed so samples could be replaced without dismantling the full system. The slatted arch used repeated CNC ribs and replaceable slats, with an integrated bench at the base.
Materials and build details
The material palette was chosen for durability and easier refresh. Laminate-faced carcasses, powder-coated steel and clear-finished plywood give the space a practical base while keeping the display systems robust enough for regular use.
Shelves, slats and panel frames are modular and replaceable, which supports longer service life. Pegboard walls use adjustable steel brackets so ranges can be reconfigured as needed, and the tracked slab-display system allows large-format samples to be reviewed at full scale.
Installation and logistics
Sub-assemblies were pre-built for tolerance control and faster fitting. Components were labelled by room and zone to simplify sequencing, and all items were delivered in phased drops to suit site stages and access times.
Heavy and oversize components were moved using appropriate handling gear. That made the installation more practical for large-format sample systems and reduced unnecessary site handling during fit-out.
Results and lifecycle value
The finished showroom gives Parkside an inviting sample island for quick curation, adjustable pegboard shelving for ranges and sliding frames for reviewing large-format slabs at full scale. Team zones and consultation counters also support the day-to-day working needs of the studio.
The lifecycle story is clear. Shelves, slats and panel frames are modular and replaceable, so the display systems can be refreshed over time without replacing the full fit-out. Safe sample handling and easier access for change-outs also support longer service life in a space built around regular use.
Planning a new showroom, design studio or exhibition fit-out? Speak to the team about manufacture for your next project.
