Maison Francois Kazi Kuu: Mgahawa by John Whelan - GSL

Maison Francois Kazi Kuu: Mgahawa by John Whelan - GSL is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 Tuzo ya Fedha ya A' Design Award in Usanifu wa Ukarimu, Burudani, Usafiri na Utalii Competition Category.

FedhaUkarimu· 2021

Maison Francois Kazi Kuu: Mgahawa

by John Whelan - GSL

Client: The Guild of Saint Luke

Tuzo ya Fedha ya A' Design Award Winner in Ukarimu Category

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Colors

The Design

About Maison Francois Kazi Kuu: Mgahawa

Maison Francois ni mgahawa wenye ukubwa wa mita za mraba 500, ulioundwa ndani ya ganda tupu la zege. Dari lenye mabonde limetengenezwa kwa nyenzo za sauti zilizopakwa rangi ya zege bandia ili kuoanisha na sakafu ya zege iliyong'arishwa. Viti vya kukaa vya mviringo vya mti wa walnut vyenye sehemu za juu za glasi ya faragha vimepambwa kwa kitani cha rangi ya krimu, na mapazia ya kitani cha rangi ya krimu yanayoanzia sakafuni hadi dari yanaakisi tofauti na uashi wa terracotta na matao ya kioo. Useremala umetengenezwa kwa mti wa walnut na mahogani, ukiwa na vyuma vya shaba na nikeli vilivyopewa mng'aro wa zamani. Kisiwa cha kati cha kupitishia chakula huunda kitovu cha chumba na kuunganisha jiko na eneo la kula.

The Recognition

About the Tuzo ya Fedha ya A' Design Award

Maison Francois Kazi Kuu: Mgahawa ni mshindi wa Tuzo ya Fedha ya A' Design Award, utambuzi wenye heshima kubwa ya ajabu unaotolewa kwa miundo ya hali ya juu kabisa, ya kupendeza na ya kuvutia. Washindi wa Fedha ni kazi zinazong'aa mno na bunifu kupita kiasi zinazoonyesha utaalamu bora, kipaji na busara ya wabunifu wao. Maison Francois Kazi Kuu: Mgahawa inatarajiwa kuwa kazi nzuri ya kuigwa ambayo ni ya kitaalamu kwa kiasi kikubwa na yenye ubunifu wa kina. Muundo huu ulioshinda Tuzo ya Fedha ya A' Design Award ni uvumbuzi unaojulikana sana na kupendwa, unaonufaisha na kupanua mipaka ya sanaa, sayansi, usanifu na teknolojia. Maison Francois Kazi Kuu: Mgahawa ni kazi inayotamaniwa mno inayochochea hamu, huleta hisia chanya na huzua mshangao na mastaajabu.

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