Designing a shopfront that invites people in

A shopfront is the smallest piece of architecture most people notice every day. It is where a building meets the pavement, and a good one makes the whole street feel more generous. We have designed frontages for bakeries, bookshops and fashion boutiques, and the same few principles come back every time.

Let people see in

The most inviting shop is the one you can read from across the road. Tall, slim glazing bars, a low stall riser and a window display at eye level do more than any sign. We keep the glass as clear as possible and put the lighting inside, so the shop glows in the evening.

A real door

The door is the handshake of the building. It should be easy to find, easy to open and a little more beautiful than it needs to be – solid timber, a good handle, a step that is level with the pavement for prams and wheelchairs.

• Keep the entrance level or ramp it gently inside the shop.
• Set the door back a little to give a sheltered threshold.
• Use one material for the whole frontage so it reads as one piece.

Respect the building above

Most shops sit in older buildings with their own rhythm of windows and pilasters. A frontage that lines up with the floors above looks as if it belongs; one that ignores them looks like a sticker. We measure the whole facade, not just the ground floor, before drawing a single glazing bar.

Shelter and shade

An awning is an old idea that still works. It protects the window display from the sun, gives passers-by shelter in the rain and adds a band of colour to the street. Retractable canvas awnings are cheap to maintain and easy to replace when the brand changes.

A good shopfront is a gift to the street: it lights the pavement, shelters the passer-by and makes the city feel looked after.

Judith Cole

When a frontage gets these basics right, the signage can be small and quiet. The building does the talking.