Maison Francois Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Ụlọ Nri by John Whelan - GSL

Maison Francois Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Ụlọ Nri by John Whelan - GSL is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Ọlaọcha in Nhazi Ọbịa Ọma, Ezumike, Njem na Nleta Ebe Competition Category.

ỌlaọchaỌbịa Ọma· 2021

Maison Francois Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Ụlọ Nri

by John Whelan - GSL

Client: The Guild of Saint Luke

Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Ọlaọcha Winner in Ọbịa Ọma Category

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The Design

About Maison Francois Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Ụlọ Nri

Maison Francois bụ ụlọ nri nke narị mita anọ na iri (500 square metres) n'ọ́tụ̀tụ̀, e kere n'ime ihe mkpuchi konkịrịtị nkịtị. E ji ihe na-ekwe okwu (phonic) mee elu ụlọ nke a chiwara chi, e tere ya agba dịka simenti ụgha ka o kwekọọ na ala konkịrịtị achọrọ mma. Ihe ndozi (banquettes) walnut gbagọrọ agbagọ nwere iko nzuzo n'elu ka e ji akwa linin cream mee ka ọ maa mma, ma akwa mgbochi linin cream nke sitere n'ala ruo n'elu na-emeghari stucco terracotta na akụkụ enyo. E ji walnut na mahogany mee ihe mkpọ osisi (joinery), yana ọrụ ígwè brass na nickel nwere ọdịdị ochie. Ihe ngafe (island pass) etiti bụ ihe kachasị adọrọ mmasị n'ime ụlọ ma na-ejikọta kichin na ebe a na-eri nri.

The Recognition

About the Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Ọlaọcha

Maison Francois Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Ụlọ Nri meriri A' Design Award nke Ọlaọcha, nnabata dị oke ugwu e nyere design ndị dị n'ọkwa kachasị elu, mara mma ma na-eju anya. Ndị meriri na Ọlaọcha bụ ọrụ na-egbu maramara nke ukwuu ma dị oke nzụlite nke na-egosi ọmarịcha ihe ọmụma, talent na nghọta nke ndị designer ha. A na-atụ anya na Maison Francois Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Ụlọ Nri ga-abụ ọrụ dị ịtụnanya, ihe nlereanya, nke dị oke ọrụ ma dị omimi n'ihe ọhụrụ. Design a meriri A' Design Award nke Ọlaọcha bụ ihe e mepụtara dị oke ịrịba ama, nke a na-eto nke na-erite uru ma na-ebuga oke nka, sayensị, design na teknụzụ n'ihu. Maison Francois Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Ụlọ Nri bụ ihe e kere eke ọtụtụ ndị na-ekwo ekworo ya nke na-akpali ọchịchọ, na-eweta mmetụta ọma ma na-akpali ịtụnanya.

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