Maison Francois Primary Function: Réstoran by John Whelan - GSL

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

PerakHospitalitas· 2021

Maison Francois Primary Function: Réstoran

by John Whelan - GSL

Client: The Guild of Saint Luke

A' Design Award Perak Winner in Hospitalitas Category

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Colors

The Design

About Maison Francois Primary Function: Réstoran

Maison Francois nyaéta hiji réstoran anu lega na 500 méter pasagi, dijieun di jero cangkang beton anu polos. Palapon coffered didamel tina bahan fonik anu dicét maké beton palsu supados cocog sareng lantai beton anu digosok. Bangku (banquette) tina kai walnut anu ngalengkung sareng bagian luhurna maké kaca privasi dilapisan ku kain linen warna krim, sarta gorden linen warna krim anu manjang ti lantai dugi ka palapon ngaimbangan stuko térakota sareng lengkungan eunteung. Pagawéan kai dijieun tina walnut sareng mahoni, kalayan pagawéan logam kuningan sareng nikel anu geus dipatina. Pulo (island) tengah anu ngahubungkeun jadi puseur perhatian tina rohangan éta sarta nyambungkeun dapur ka rohangan tuang.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Perak

Maison Francois Primary Function: Réstoran mangrupa juara A' Design Award Perak, pangakuan anu luar biasa bergengsi anu dipasihkeun ka desain kelas luhur, endah jeung matak kagum. Para juara Perak téh karya anu pohara cemerlang jeung pohara kréatif anu ngagambarkeun kaahlian, bakat jeung kapinteran para désainerna. Maison Francois Primary Function: Réstoran diharepkeun jadi karya anu éndah, karya andalan anu pohara profésional jeung pohara inovatif. Desain juara A' Design Award Perak ieu mangrupa panemuan anu pohara kasohor jeung dikagumi anu mangpaat sarta ngamajukeun watesan seni, élmu, desain jeung téknologi. Maison Francois Primary Function: Réstoran mangrupa kréasi anu pohara diirikeun anu ngahudang kahayang, ngabawa rasa positip, jeung ngahudangkeun rasa heran jeung kagum.

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