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Maison Francois Ravintola by John Whelan - GSL

Maison Francois Ravintola by John Whelan - GSL is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 Hopeapalkinto A' Design Award in Majoitusmuotoilu Competition Category.


HopeaMajoitus· 2021

Maison Francois Ravintola

by John Whelan - GSL

Client: The Guild of Saint Luke

Hopeapalkinto A' Design Award Winner in Majoitus Category

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The Design

About Maison Francois Ravintola

Maison François on 500 neliömetrin ravintola, joka on luotu paljaan betonikuoren sisään. Kasettikatto on valmistettu äänenvaimennusmateriaalista, joka on maalattu betonia jäljittelevään sävyyn sopimaan kiillotettuun betonilattiaan. Kaarevat saarnipenkit, joiden yläosassa on näkösuojalasit, on verhoiltu kermanvärisellä pellavalla, ja lattiasta kattoon ulottuvat kermanväriset pellavaverhot tasapainottavat terrakottastukkoa ja peilikaaria. Puusepäntyöt ovat saarnea ja mahonkia, ja metalliosat patinoitua messinkiä ja nikkeliä. Keskeinen saarekelinja muodostaa huoneen kiintopisteen ja yhdistää keittiön ruokailutilaan.

The Recognition

About the Hopeapalkinto A' Design Award

Maison Francois Ravintola on Hopeapalkinnon A' Design Award -voittaja, äärimmäisen arvostettu tunnustus, joka myönnetään huippuluokan, upeille ja vaikuttaville designeille. Hopeavoittajat ovat äärimmäisen loistavia ja erittäin luovia teoksia, jotka havainnollistavat suunnittelijoidensa erinomaista asiantuntemusta, lahjakkuutta ja terävyyttä. Maison Francois Ravintola:n odotetaan olevan ihana, esimerkillinen teos, joka on huomattavan ammattimainen ja syvästi innovatiivinen. Tämä Hopeapalkinnon A' Design Award -voittajadesign on erittäin merkittävä, ihailtu keksintö, joka hyödyttää taiteen, tieteen, designin ja teknologian rajojen laajentamista. Maison Francois Ravintola on laajalti kadehdittu luomus, joka herättää haluja, tuo myönteisiä tunteita ja sytyttää hämmästystä ja ihmetystä.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
Initially, the concrete shell was taken as the starting point, creating a Brutalist ceiling coffering and laying down a polished concrete floor. Once the framework was established, ensuing elements were designed to create that elusive warmth and intimacy. Curved walnut banquettes with privacy glass uppers are upholstered in a resistant cream linen that are tactile and inviting. They correspond with floor-to-ceiling cream linen curtains that offset the grandeur of the imposing terracotta stucco and mirror arches.
Dimensions & Packaging
500 square metres floor space
Tags
Restaurant, Brasserie, London
Production Technology
The coffered ceiling was realised in phonic material and painted in faux-cement to match the polished concrete floor. Joinery is in walnut and mahogany, with patinated brass and nickel metalwork. Upholstery and drapery is in cream linen.
Design Challenge
The main challenge was the space that was inherited from the landlord. A far cry from the warm and welcoming environment desired by the client, it was a cavernous concrete shell with no discernible features of interest. The façade offered little more by way of inspiration, being part of a somewhat generic new build. It was therefore necessary to think carefully about how the large volume could be animated, and how to create visibility from the street.
Research
Much of the research that went into this project had been conducted over several years, working on restoring and re-designing historic brasseries in France. Everything that was learned by the studio during this period was applied to the project, but this knowledge was infused with more contemporary reference points such as Postmodernism and Brutalism in order to evolve the genre.
Inspiration
Rather than taking the more tried and tested route of looking to the Art Deco period for inspiration, the design looked at successful residential conversions of Brutalist spaces, such as Ricardo Bofill’s, La Fabrica. What interested the team was how the designers managed to create a sense of intimacy and warmth despite their imposing concrete surrounds. The solution was to find the right dosage of these ideas, within a more traditional brasserie framework.
Project Duration
The project started in September 2019 and opened in September 2020
Operation Flow
Bringing the kitchen into direct conversation with the room was key to creating a vibrant atmosphere, and so the central island pass became the focal point of the room. It sits underneath a monumental Rado inspired clock flanked by a lambs-tongue mahogany and bevelled mirror canopy that recalls the windows of the Ismaili Centre. Metals range from patinated nickel to burnished brass, all heavy on texture and designed to warm up the space.
Team Members
Designer: John Whelan for The Guild of Saint Luke
Image Credits
Photography by Oskar Proctor

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