'Located just off the King's Road in London, Warr's Harley-Davidson
showroom occupies a prominent site. It forms the first phase of a projected
four-storey development which will complete the oval shape, replace
the existing workshop and provide further residential or commerical
space above.
'The main showroom is a tall (5.5m) volume around the core containing
services and vertical circulation. The elaborately profiled fair-faced
concrete slab radiating out from the core forms a ceiling to the space
from which display objects - including motorcycles - can be suspended.
The structure is of in situ concrete clad in curved nine inch brickwork
with brick-clad columns around the perimeter of the showroom. The handmade
clay bricks are of a warm orange-red colour - intended, even in the
dull London light, to glow as if bathed in southern sun.
'The materials of the interior of the showroom are generally
unadorned concrete, brick and wood, materials which will age
gracefully with a minimum of maintenance. The choice of finishes is
in keeping
with the toughness, tradition and quality associated with the
Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The display counters were specially designed;
the counter-tops
of solid polished walnut are cantilevered from chrome louvred
bases, which double up as 'radiators' for the low-velocity air-conditioning
system.'
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