Idea Store Whitechapel

The building is a sleek, highly glazed box; while the front is of two storeys facing south to the street, most of the building behind is on the first floor, sitting on an existing podium above small single-storey shops, reading as an upper storey to them along the narrow unroofed shopping mall to the east.

To the north the store disappears among existing buildings as it meets Chrisp Street open-air market. To the west it sits on the podium in retail backlands, a black opaque face that is largely unseen. Its four entrances emphasise accessibility.

Organisationally, the Idea Store involves the bringing together and rethinking of library and continuing education services. Small exhibitions run in foyers while stores house libraries of books, as well as a wide variety of audiovisuals. Other rooms provide locations for courses, run by the borough and with partner organizations. Dance and health facilities are also located in the building.