Harmony in the Haircutting Den: Two Barbers Lock Tones and Shed Scissors

Harmony in the Haircutting Den: Two Barbers Lock Tones and Shed Scissors

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Title: Costa's Barbers: A Small-Scale Restoration Tells a Big Story

Photos: Jim StephensonWords: Jason Sayer (with additional insights)

In the heart of Battersea, southwest London, a transmuted barbershop serves as a thought-provoking testament to the power of small-scale urban renewal. Born from the union of Brisco Loran Architects and Arrant Industries, this project foregrounds architectural creativity and the blurring lines between public and private spaces.

Known as Costa's Barbers, the former barbershop still dons its original signage, offering a nostalgic touch that echoes the neighborhood's rich history. The story of its transformation began in 2015 when Duncan Blackmore, co-founder of Arrant Industries, acquired the building's freehold.

The transformation took flight during the pandemic in 2020, as legislation on permitted development rights underwent changes, granting shops the capability to be converted into residential dwellings. (The flats above the barbershop were long-leased and untouched.)

Thom Brisco, an architect at Brisco Loran, recounts, "The occupancy and the shifting policy set the project in motion." At that time, he and Pandora Loran, his partner and fellow architect, found themselves in need of new living and office spaces. They eagerly moved into the shop, birthing a living, breathing project that flowed from the necessities of its inhabitants.

The ingenious facade possesses a vivid yellow hue, reminiscent of a memorable sunset. The yellow paint is the defining feature, giving the building a lively presence on the street. An awning, extending the building's footprint by three meters, serves as a sun-shield during the day and shelter at dusk.

Above the lettering of Thom Brisco's name, elegantly painted in red sans-serif all caps, the facade is replete with a unique mix of windows. Timber frames, coated in vibrant yellow paint, encase the windows. Between them, the windows' arrangement speaks in a different language, suggesting the building's personality and purpose.

A curious artificial entablature - created by repurposing salvaged snooker table legs - adds a playful touch. These unique elements have already gained the admiration and fascination of local residents.

While Battersea High Street is relatively quiet during the week, it transforms on the weekends, hosting a bustling market. Costa's Barbers has yet to take its place in the commerce scene, but its occupants ponder the idea of dedicating the windows to something fun and profitable on Saturdays.

Outfitted as independent screens, a pair of secondary sashes display hand-cut glass art by Pavilion Pavilion. These screens can raise and lower, depending on the privacy requirements of the occupants or the demands of street trade. On the exterior, clear sashes can also be raised to provide ventilation or opened completely to create open kiosk-like structural openings suitable for engaging with the market crowd.

As independent screens, the double-layered nature of the sash windows offers flexibility, allowing the space to function as a home, office, and potential retail outlet. Moreover, they nod to traditional Chinese and Japanese Shoji screens, emphasizing the architectural dialogue between cultures.

The building's design prioritizes adaptability, with its challenges and opportunities reflecting the evolving nature of urban spaces. As the role of the high street shifts in contemporary communities, Costa's Barbers stands as an example of reimagining traditional retail units for the future.

Additional Insights

1. Awards and Recognition: The Costa's Barbers project won the 2025 RIBA London Award and was named the Small Project of the Year. The project's innovative design and positive impact on the neighborhood contributed to this recognition.
2. Community Engagement: Thom Brisco and Pandora Loran fostered connections with the surrounding community by collaborating with local residents and traders during the renovation process. This collaborative approach strengthens the building's ties to its surroundings and enhances its cultural significance.
3. Sustainable Design Practices: The renovation process emphasized a reuse-focused approach, with various refurbished materials used in the project's construction, such as reclaimed timber panelling and church pew backs. The use of energy-efficient elements, such as triple-glazed windows, also contributes to the project's eco-friendliness.
4. Flexible Spaces for Modern Living: The adaptability of Costa's Barbers is a testament to contemporary living, which increasingly requires versatile spaces that can accommodate changing lifestyle needs and demands. By addressing these evolving needs, the project propels itself into the future while preserving its historic character.
5. As Costa's Barbers continues to adapt to its surroundings, its inhabitants consider transforming the windows into a vibrant display for the weekend market, intertwining home-and-garden arts with the current home-and-garden setting, thus blurring the lines between their lifestyle and business.
6. The award-winning Costa's Barbers serves as an architectural masterpiece in lifestyle design, blending the past with the future, public and private spaces, making it a standout example of home-and-garden architecture within the urban setting of Battersea, southwest London.

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