Value fashion retailer Primark launched in Madrid last week with a new store that combines local inspiration with modern design features.

Primark last week opened on Madrid’s Gran Via in one of the Spanish capital’s most impressive buildings. At 130,000 sq ft it is big and features a massive octagonal atrium that has been restored and now houses 11 large screens and allows plenty of natural daylight into the store.

The atrium is the star and its screens go the whole digital hog with content that interacts with the surrounding architecture (for example, children peeking around the columns), providing a surreal effect.

Design consultancy Dalziel + Pow, the retailer’s long-term new store partner, worked on the interior, which also features local Madrid-based artists whose output ranges from street art to coloured paper origami.

In terms of breathing new life into a former department store building, this is about as good as it gets, merging historic architecture and contemporary design.