The self-build project designed for local business Seabass Cycles involves relocating its existing shop on Peckham’s Rye Lane to a vacant railway arch in nearby Blenheim Grove, close to Peckham Rye station.

Andy Matthews Studio worked on the layout and concept for the arch, which will feature a dividing counter splitting the shop in half, with repair work at the rear and public-facing elements to the front.

The new shop will reuse materials from local sources, including flooring from a nearby school. Other elements are either recycled or self-made to keep costs low.

Andy Matthews Studio worked alongside dimensional surveyor Modelling Architecture, structural engineer Heyne Tillett Steel, and visualiser Gabriel Spera on the project, supporting a local business and their friends by not charging a fee.

The practice said: ‘We love bikes and cycling and enjoyed helping our much-loved community bike shop.’

Work is currently underway to fit out the arch, with the shop aiming to open later this month.

Seabass Cycles, which was forced to leave its existing premises last month following a rent increase, says the arch on Blenheim Grove will allow it to continue serving customers without closing in the face of increasing overhead costs.

However, the local business is crowdfunding to raise £50,000 towards the relocation and fit-out.

Architect’s view

This will be the third space that Seabass has had, and many of the objects and materials are brought with them and reused.

The floor, for instance, was previously salvaged from a school and is now being moved from the old store into the new arch. The rug is a classic piece that formed part of the store through the various iterations – and really ties the room together.

The remaining elements are reused and self-made where possible to keep costs to a minimum. The entire store is designed to be as flexible as possible so that the retail and workshop offer can be adapted to suit the space as they start using the unit.

The steelwork and mezzanine are all designed to avoid fixing to the railway arch, due to terms imposed by the lease.

Current site view