Maison Francois Primary Function: Restoran by John Whelan - GSL

Maison Francois Primary Function: Restoran by John Whelan - GSL is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 A' Design Award Ajan in Ospitalite Competition Category.

AjanOspitalite· 2021

Maison Francois Primary Function: Restoran

by John Whelan - GSL

Client: The Guild of Saint Luke

A' Design Award Ajan Winner in Ospitalite Category

50,988

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #123843

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Maison Francois Primary Function: Restoran

Maison Francois se yon restoran ki gen 500 mèt kare, ki kreye anndan yon kokiy beton toutouni. Plafon an ki gen kofraj fèt ak materyèl fonik ki penti an fo siman pou matche ak planche beton poli a. Bankèt kwochi ki fèt ak bwa nwaye ki gen vitre entimite anlè yo, yo garni ak twal len koulè krèm, epi rido len krèm ki soti nan planche pou rive nan plafon konplete estiko terakota a ak ak vout glas yo. Bwazri a fèt ak bwa nwaye ak akaju, avèk metal an kwiv patine ak nikèl. Zile pasaj santral la fòme pwen fokal chanm nan epi li konekte kwizin nan ak espas manje a.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Ajan

Maison Francois Primary Function: Restoran se yon ganyan A' Design Award Ajan, yon rekonesans ki gen yon prestij enmans yo bay design nivo siperyè, bèl anpil e enpresyonan. Ganyan Ajan yo se travay ki trè briyan e ki trè kreyatif ki montre ekspètiz, talan ak finès designer yo. Yo atann Maison Francois Primary Function: Restoran pou se yon bèl travay modèl, remakab nan pwofesyonalis e ki gen gwo inovasyon. Design sa a ki ganyen A' Design Award Ajan se yon envansyon trè remakab, admire ki pote benefis e ki pouse limit atizay, syans, design ak teknoloji. Maison Francois Primary Function: Restoran se yon kreyasyon anpil moun jalou ki reveye dezi, ki pote santiman pozitif e ki limen sipriz ak mèvèy.

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