Nex Architecture's sculptural restaurant transforms for al fresco dining
Nex Architecture has created a sculptural restaurant with curved glazed façades that open up for al fresco dining and a roof garden that adds a new element of public realm to the local area.
The restaurant is located in a public square in the prestigious Chelsea area of London, with developer Cadogan Estates briefing that the building should be both distinctive and a focal point for the square.
It is named Vardo after the Romani travelling wagons of the 1800s, referencing their openness and informed by the materials they used, like canvas, natural woods, stones, fabrics and plant-life.
The curved, free-standing structure is composed of off-white concrete, with large arches around its outside giving it a pergola-like form.
It is designed to act as a conceptual continuation of a nearby Grade II listed wall and also references a nearby Grade II listed department store.
The restaurant's arches allow it to be opened up to the outside, with three curved glass panels that retract into the ground.
A bespoke steel frame prevented the need for horizontal mullions, protecting the integrity of the unique glazed elements and the design as a whole.
An external staircase built into the side of the structure, meanwhile, leads to a rooftop garden that is open to the public with greenery, timber decking and seating.
At night, the garden is illuminated with soft external lighting.
Inside, Vardo sits 100 covers split between its street-level dining room and a more intimate private dining room downstairs with wood panelling, quilted walls and vintage lighting.
The street-level space is flooded with natural light and the interior is fitted with wooden fixtures, an ash slatted ceiling and terrazzo flooring.
Nex Architecture restaurant










MAD Arkitekter nature town celebrates the beautiful landscape of Martineåsen

Pierattelli Architetture proposes new football stadium for ACF Fiorentina

Snøhetta's Xingtai Grand Theater provides a cultural cornerstone in Hebei Province

Hilton's Higgins Hotel New Orleans tells the story of World War II

Funding approved for LMN Architects-designed shark pavilion at Seattle Aquarium

Woods Bagot to create international food and wine destination in Adelaide

JKMM Architects to design new annexe for National Museum of Finland

MVRDV to return Seoul waterfront to nature as public park

Hall Arts Hotel, designed by HKS Architects and Bentel & Bentel, opens in Dallas

OPEN Architecture's Chapel of Sound valley amphitheatre tops out

Hou de Sousa create "kaleidoscopic beacon" for New York plaza

Petr Pelčák's Hard Rock Prague to feature light wall, spa and rooftop bar

Snøhetta's new public garden at 550 Madison to be "green oasis"

BarberMcMurry offer green-roofed, terracotta-screened and treehouse options for Knoxville Science Museum

Tham & Videgård's +One Tower looks almost matchstick-built

Concept artwork revealed for "one of the most ambitious theme park projects ever in Europe"

Bertil Harström and Johan Krauppi create floating hotel and spa

Civic Architects' LocHal Public Library named World Building of the Year at World Architecture Festival

Exhibitions begin at Zaha Hadid Architects-designed Changsha Meixihu International Culture & Arts Centre

BIG and Mecanoo win at INSIDE World Festival of Interiors

State Library Victoria reopens after Schmidt Hammer Lassen and Architectus revamp

Mixed-use, community and culture recognised at World Architecture Festival day two

Studio Fuksas celebrate square's ancient history with high-tech future

Diamond Schmitt and TWBTA reveal new Geffen Hall revamp plans

South Korean theme park with five hotels and 18-hole golf course gets go-ahead

Cambridge United reveals KSS designs for multi-use stadium

Heatherwick among winners on day one of World Architecture Festival 2019

Pharrell's Toronto tower, Untitled, will be parametric, natural and universal

Intu creating eight-neighbourhood retail and leisure resort in Spain
