Finding the Form: The Enduring Elegance of Kendals

As you walk through the bustling heart of Manchester city centre, past the vibrant shop windows and the endless flow of commuters, it’s easy to overlook the architectural stories held within our most familiar landmarks. We often see the activity around a building, rather than the building itself.

At Subtractionism, our mission is to peel back those layers of distraction, to quiet the urban noise, and reveal the pure, “true form” that defines these structures. Today, we turn our gaze to a true Manchester institution: Kendals, now known as House of Fraser, on Deansgate.

More Than Just a Department Store: A Masterpiece of Art Deco

Kendals isn’t just a place to shop; it’s a magnificent example of Art Deco architecture, designed by architect Henry H. Scaping and largely completed in the 1930s.

Its grandeur speaks of an era when retail palaces were built to inspire awe. The building’s facade, particularly the main section facing Deansgate, is a symphony of verticality. Tall, slender windows are punctuated by decorative panels and intricate stonework, drawing the eye upwards. It’s an imposing, yet elegant, structure that commands its corner.

The Subtractionist View: Unveiling the Rhythm and Structure

For an artist, Kendals presents an intriguing challenge. How do you take a building so rich in detail, so steeped in commercial purpose, and distil it down to its essential architectural truth?

When we apply the Subtractionist philosophy to Kendals, we find a powerful underlying rhythm:

The Verticality: The strong, upward lines are its defining feature. By removing the specific branding, the reflections in the glass, and the subtle variations in material, we emphasize this dominant vertical thrust.

The Repetition: The repeating pattern of windows and structural elements creates a calming, almost meditative quality. Subtraction highlights this inherent harmony.

The Shadow Play: Even in a minimalist, high-contrast illustration, the deep recesses and projections of the facade create essential shadows that define its volume and texture.

My interpretation of Kendals aims to capture that enduring elegance – the classic, timeless structure that remains beneath the surface of everyday life. It’s about appreciating the architectural drawing that first brought it to life, and how those original lines continue to shape our urban experience.

The Familiar Made Fresh

The beauty of Subtractionism is making the familiar feel fresh again. Next time you pass Kendals, take a moment. Strip away the hustle and bustle in your mind, and truly see the building. See its lines, its form, its quiet assertion of classic design in a modern city.

And perhaps, see it as an art piece, ready to bring that same understated elegance to your own space.

Explore my full Manchester Collection and bring a piece of the city’s iconic architecture into your home or office.

This Print was featured on the set of Coronation Street in Nasty Nicks apartment. The other building illustration is Manchester Art Gallery.