Maison Francois 主要功能：餐廳 by John Whelan - GSL

Maison Francois 主要功能：餐廳 by John Whelan - GSL is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 A' Design Award 銀獎 in 款待設計 Competition Category.

銀款待· 2021

Maison Francois 主要功能：餐廳

by John Whelan - GSL

Client: The Guild of Saint Luke

A' Design Award 銀獎 Winner in 款待 Category

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The Design

About Maison Francois 主要功能：餐廳

Maison Francois 係一間佔地 500 平方米嘅餐廳，建喺一個裸露嘅混凝土框架之內。格子天花板以隔音材料製成，並髹上仿水泥漆，同拋光混凝土地板互相呼應。弧形核桃木卡座配以磨砂私隱玻璃上蓋，鋪襯米白色亞麻布料，而由地面延伸至天花板嘅米白色亞麻窗簾，則同赤陶灰泥同鏡面拱門形成對比。木工採用核桃木同桃花心木，配以做舊處理嘅黃銅同鎳製金屬件。中央島式傳菜台構成整個空間嘅焦點，連接廚房同用餐區。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銀獎

Maison Francois 主要功能：餐廳是 A' Design Award 銀獎得主，這是授予頂級、華美而令人印象深刻的設計的極為崇高的認可。銀獎得主是極其卓越、極具創造力的作品，展現出其設計師傑出的專業技能、才華與敏銳。預計Maison Francois 主要功能：餐廳將成為一件出色的典範之作，兼具非凡的專業性與深刻的創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銀獎的設計是一項備受矚目、令人欽佩的發明，造福並拓展藝術、科學、設計和技術的界限。Maison Francois 主要功能：餐廳是一件令人羨慕的創作，它喚起渴望，帶來積極的情感，並激發驚嘆與讚嘆。

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