Selfridges Building, Birmingham

The Selfridges Building stands in Birmingham’s Bullring Shopping Centre and houses the department store. Designed by Future Systems, it was completed in 2003 with a striking steel frame and sprayed concrete exterior. The curved façade wraps around the corner of Moor Street and Park Street, covered in 15,000 anodised aluminium discs against a blue background. This unusual design has earned it the nickname ‘Blobitecture’, making it instantly recognisable. Vittorio Radice, then Selfridges’ chief executive, commissioned the project to set the store apart from the rest of the shopping centre. The building has won six major awards since opening, including the RIBA Award for Architecture in 2004. It also received the Concrete Society’s Overall Winner prize and the Civic Trust Award the same year. The Royal Fine Art Commission Trust praised its retail innovation, while the Institution of Civil Engineers honoured its structural work. Retail Week named it Destination of the Year in 2004, recognising its impact on shoppers and the city. Visitors find a dramatic entrance beneath the aluminium-clad curves, leading into a spacious department store. Inside, high ceilings and modern layouts create an airy shopping experience. The exterior’s shimmering discs catch the light, making the building a landmark in Birmingham. Its integration with the Bullring ensures easy access from nearby streets and transport links. The design remains a bold example of contemporary architecture in the city.