John Lewis Roof Garden

Reimagining the Retail Experience

As part of the £2.4 million refurbishment of John Lewis at Westquay, Southampton, Adam Knibb Architects designed a new public roof garden and Farm Shop that redefined how customers experience the department store.

Working closely with John Lewis throughout the project, the practice led the design team from concept through to completion, coordinating a multidisciplinary team to deliver a destination that combines retail, landscape and hospitality within a single customer experience.

Bringing the Leckford Estate to the City

The design celebrates the close relationship between John Lewis, Waitrose and the Leckford Estate – the Hampshire farm that supplies produce to Waitrose stores across the UK.

Previously an underused staff terrace, the rooftop has been transformed into an immersive public garden inspired by the character of the estate. Rather than simply creating an outdoor seating area, the project brings the atmosphere of the Hampshire countryside into the heart of Southampton, strengthening the connection between customers and the origins of the food they buy.

A Destination Above the Store

The roof garden has been designed as a place to pause, explore and enjoy. Meandering paths weave through carefully curated planting, creating a sequence of informal spaces that encourage visitors to slow down and experience the garden at their own pace.

Garden pods provide places to relax with refreshments, while seasonal displays showcase produce from the Leckford Estate, creating a destination that complements the Farm Shop below and enriches the wider retail journey.

Landscape, Brand and Experience

The planting strategy draws inspiration from the wildflower meadows and productive landscapes of rural Hampshire, creating a biodiverse environment that changes throughout the seasons while softening the contemporary rooftop setting.

More than a landscape project, the roof garden extends the John Lewis and Waitrose brand beyond the shop floor. By combining architecture, planting and customer experience, the design transforms an overlooked rooftop into a memorable public destination that encourages visitors to spend longer in the store and engage more deeply with the Leckford Estate story.