To deliver a more innovative offer, ExCeL London’s catering partner Levy Restaurants UK worked with SHH Architects & Interior Designers to design food outlets grouped under a number of new bespoke brands. The main concept behind the design was to provide a retail catering strategy that offered a greater variety of choice, with interesting, modern spaces and a flexible food offer for different events. Positioned above the main boulevard, The Bridge Restaurant represents three offers, with a subtle “American-style” look and food choice with different price points and service styles offering a bar, take-away options and a premium table service restaurant.

‘We were aware of the challenging context of this restaurant in a necessarily generic and neutral background – an industrial shed that exists in a difficult part of town. That said, we felt that this project achieved a very high-level, upscale experience – somewhere you’d escape to, a refuge within the exhibition centre. A well-handled and sophisticated outcome for a challenging venue.’ JD

Conran & Partners were commissioned to create a glamorous yet democratic contemporary European Grand Café, Bar and Restaurant to complement the newly invigorated King’s Cross master plan, and transform the Grade II-listed building into a unique destination. Our concept is a refined modern insertion within the existing building; a Bauhaus version of a European Grand Café.

‘The ground floor dining area, suffused with natural light which captures the building’s delicate silhouettes of cast steel columns and Victorian archways, makes an immediate impact. Two new contemporary black steel staircases symmetrically frame the space, adding drama and elegance.

Everyone was incredibly impressed by the opportunity of the existing building, at the same time understanding the challenges of the existing elements. The gallery, which has been exposed, is very restrained. On paper it shouldn’t work because it is only one table deep, but it does work as a proper gallery and vantage point. The composition of the seating creates very nice zones and the restrained palette is sympathetic to the existing building. A well-received project.’ JD

The design of both space and the brand was based on keeping it simple to form a neutral background for the colorful, spicy and delicious food produced by Dardenia.  

Working with the simplicity, the aim was to create a multi-layered, transitional in visibility, transparent space; strengthening the relationship between all zones. This was also to emphasize the well-known brand value of Dardanel by exhibiting the professionalism and the meticulousness of the kitchen as a neat-working machine in a glass box.

‘We liked this from an architectural point of view. Bold structural interventions like exhibiting the kitchen in a glass box. There’s a ‘laboratory’ like feel to it, which is both interesting and original. The limited colour palette allows the colourful food to shine. Overall, a stunning project.’ GS

Conran & Partners were commissioned to create a glamorous yet democratic contemporary European Grand Café, Bar and Restaurant to complement the newly invigorated King’s Cross master plan, and transform the Grade II-listed building into a unique destination. Our concept is a refined modern insertion within the existing building; a Bauhaus version of a European Grand Café.

‘The ground floor dining area, suffused with natural light which captures the building’s delicate silhouettes of cast steel columns and Victorian archways, makes an immediate impact. Two new contemporary black steel staircases symmetrically frame the space, adding drama and elegance.

Everyone was incredibly impressed by the opportunity of the existing building, at the same time understanding the challenges of the existing elements. The gallery, which has been exposed, is very restrained. On paper it shouldn’t work because it is only one table deep, but it does work as a proper gallery and vantage point. The composition of the seating creates very nice zones and the restrained palette is sympathetic to the existing building. A well-received project.’ JD

One of the most prominent challenges was working with a revered heritage listed building and the challenges we faced wanting to respect and highlight it on one side, and on the other side trying to meet the high standard and quality of gastronomy spaces in our contemporary world today. 

Materials such as Brass and textured concrete reinterpret the terrazzo floors and further strengthen the material imprint of the public buildings of that time. 

‘The restaurant has beautiful detailing and a pleasing pairing of materials. We loved the thread that goes through the restaurant with the copper line. The furniture is beautiful Bauhaus inspired, but ‘blinged-up’ with some amazingly expensive materials, the colour palette is very pared back creating a calming and inspirational environment.’ FT

Executive Chef Nicholas Yanes wanted a space that would showcase the refined flavors of Northern Italy and expose Texans to a more European way of dining; to slow down and stay awhile. 

Collaborating with Sanders Architecture, CI delivered a layered exploration of space and materiality, producing something that is exquisite as it is friendly. Blending lush velvets, concrete, wire-brushed Belgian oak, walnut paneling and handcrafted fixtures, the space is at once sexy, warm and industrial; a beautiful back drop to the meticulous menu and concierge service.

‘We like the understated composition of this. However, when you take a closer look, you notice the raw concrete and stained oak. There are some nice graphic details interwoven into this project – overall a very calm and interesting space that isn’t boring at all.’ JD

To enhance the efficiency, construction and timing of the project, the designer applied pale gray concrete throughout the interiors. Round tubes inspired from Gothic architecture bring out a magnificent Gothic stage play complete with floating clouds. The designer picked amusing contemporary artworks with a collection of different lighting effects in order to create a space with elegance and humour.

‘We like the theatricality of the space. It’s quite surreal and plays with contrasting light, scale and views. There are some interesting curated artworks, and lots of different places to explore. It’s an intriguing project.’ JD

Universal Design Studio has recently completed the design of Odette, a 290sqm restaurant that opened in November 2015. It is located in the newly refurbished Singapore National Art Gallery – home to the Nation’s art collection. Odette, named as a tribute to chef Julien Royer’s grandmother, was designed as an art piece in itself, an extension of the collection housed in the historic building.

‘We all loved the colour palette and use of materials – very current. A refreshing space with amazing attention to detail, all very considered. Lots of space around the tables, it feels like somewhere you really want to go…I really want to go! Love the semi-colonial referencing on the outside, reminding you of where you are.’ DA

The brief was simple; the client wanted a bright interior, with a kitchen on show, a direct reaction to the moody, dimly lit spaces of the local hospitality scene.  

Oggi is a simple and subdued interior, with a playful personality, informed by the squares and piazzas of Italy. The repetition, the materiality and the formal nature of these outdoor spaces have all influenced the outcome.  

Vaulted ceilings, archways and a long narrow bar are all presented by a shop front, where your focus is drawn to the rear of the space, where the play of light through its saw toothed roof, and the draped greenery from the produce garden capture the essence of Italy.

‘Oggi has an immediately recognizable Italian style of the period between the two wars. It has very soft geometry with a beautiful pared down palette of colours and an intimate section of alcoves. It also has a very bright and airy feel for such a long narrow space along with a long bar which you can imagine being full all the time. The detailing is beautifully put together and the furniture in timbers and the use of greens and whites gives you an almost institutional feel, but in a nice way – it reminds me of my school in Italy.’ FT

The aim of the design is to enhance the views and to surround the customer with the specific landscape qualities of its location by the water. Sitting at the restaurant should be like sitting on a yacht deck staring at the sunset.  

The architecture of the building is reminiscent of a pavilion by the water, an interior-exterior space, with just some vertical elements, a sun protective lattice and the most incredible views. The inspiration for the interior came from the forest of boat masts in the Marina.

‘We liked the immediate references you can see with the boats and the sails, with the limited use of colours and materials. There is something nice about the openness to the restaurant along with intimate moments created using partitioning throughout. Everything ties together nicely, a very inviting space.’ GS

PPAG architects design takes the individual tables as its starting point. The special table arrangement, the large electric sash windows and the slightly reflective metal façade, which appears to be coated with dew, all give the guests in the new pavilion the sense of being outside and yet also at home. At the same time they experience the highest levels of acoustic and thermal comfort. The material of the pavilion’s façade is brought into the interior of the existing, listed dining space, enabling rooms of differing sizes and proportions to be created according to need by means of rotatable elements.

‘We all thought that the windows raised up to become an indoor-outdoor space are amazing, and also the thoughtfulness in the design and the way that it can adapt. It’s impressive that it is so polished with such a high level of finish even though the individual parts all move and it is such an adaptable space. The commitment to the intricate pattern on the tiles, which must have been an absolute nightmare to plan and lay, also impressed us.’ DA

Mister Hoffman is interior design that is true to the practice’s philosophy of Inspired Living. Through thoughtful curation of space, pieces and colour, executed in a cohesive manner, a small space has been transformed to maximise its commercial capacity without compromising its creative credentials. Mister Hoffman demonstrates that traditional fabrics, colours and textures can be reinvented in a meaningfully modern way. Real attention to detail flows throughout the space. From specially sourced tableware and cake cloches to custom commissioned teacups matching the equally bespoke wallpaper. The modest 66 sq. mt cafe was completed October 2015.

‘We all appreciated how the minimalism has been make to work in a welcoming way. It’s refreshing but not cold. The compositions are thorough and composed. There are some quirky items in there as well – altogether a very optimistic project.’ JD 

‘Bold colours used in subtle ways, this project really stood out.’ FT
‘Love it!’ DA

Duality, originality, and craft were the binding elements that formed the overall concept. The space is split on the diagonal, one side, bespoke timber framing, free of any linings, revealing the structure and construction techniques that are often overlooked. The other side is flushed and painted black. Every joinery item, including the leather-wrapped bin, are bespoke elements, every joint was measured against tradition, and expressed in a contemporary manner, a true reflection of the client’s craft.

‘It’s the execution and the craft in this project that caught our eye along with the attention to detail, for example on the tables and the struts underneath the benching. You can tell the designer has had the freedom to explore the potential of the design and whoever has crafted all this wood has not been rushed on site. It’s been executed so well and made interesting by the dividing line through the middle that really works, along with the lovely minimalist detailing. We loved the bespoke items like the leather bin and leather seat pads’. DA

‘The avoidance of clutter exposes the beautiful detailing and excellent joinery.’ FT

The design works with the rhythm and texture of the raw space, with a subtle palette of colour and surface finish. Natural wood elements create a feeling of warmth, both visually and to the touch. The proportioning and detailing of the wood, how the they rest, stack and are placed in relationship with other elements in the space, are structured in a way to invoke a varying sense of gravity and balance, depending on the physical interaction and the direction they are viewed from.

‘This project has got to do two jobs; it’s a retail store as well as a coffee shop. It has a very clean, Scandinavian feel, yet still manages to feel welcoming. The wood is cleverly detailed and opens up to create storage for the merchandise. Nice impact from outside and the counter and branding is a success.’ FT 

‘Nice detailing. Love the bar.’ DA

The richness of details comes from a mix match of references to the culture of coffee and to the faraway lands where it comes from. Still it manages to maintain a clean, almost minimal overall image given the reduced number of textures (plywood, porcelain, black paint). 

Ethnic patterns from Africa, Asia and South America or Arabic motifs in cut out plywood combine with especially designed lamps and insets inspired by the shape of the Austrian coffee cups and chinaware and typical Viennese café Thonet chairs.

‘This one has a very interesting approach; they’ve taken ethnic and cultural references and put them together under a holistic banner. The laser cut panels give a very nice, restrained decorative element. The narrative is nicely layered, and on top of that, the restaurant is zoned very nicely. There are some little bits of intrigue in there that you look twice at. Altogether an unusual project that breaks the mould of many generic projects that we see.’ JD

Set in a historical site in Singapore, HUI evoked a sense of nostalgia by using traditional elements in a modern way to create a venue that has a link to the museum and historical building that house it.

‘It ticks a lot of boxes for me because of its welcoming environment, which is achieved with the nods to the heritage and the choice of colours and materials, making it feel very homely. The use of teal, wood and bronze is very subtle and the patterns they have chosen for the fabrics are very much Asia, very Singapore. It’s very accessible – not elitist at all with some very nice detailing seen, for example, in the mirrors and the straps. It’s a welcoming café and I’d like to go there.’ FT 

‘Fun and interesting, a good blend of modern and traditional.’ DA

The interior concept for Shugaa is based on study of sugar in its basic molecular and crystal form. From the outside looking through the wall of glass, there is polygonal installation hanging around the front, inspired by sugar crystals. Wood material has also been used in the design together with a colour palette of mint green to make it feel warm and earthy. The designer team has added a dash of modern and luxury by using rose gold elements and a marble counter bar.

‘From the design concept through to execution they have the designers have looked at all the aspects; the logo, the furniture the lighting, and you can see how they have carefully chosen the submitted compositions to really highlight all these details. A really lovely, bright, open, colourful space.’ GS

‘Very playful.’ DA