 |
MARYLEBONE STATION
Year: 2000 The premises, situated on the corner of Marylebone Station in Central London, are comprised of a ground floor with large windows and a basement floor unconnected to the floor above and with virtually no natural light, for a total area of over 600 square metres. The brief called for a radical approach to transform the two separate floors into a vibrant unified space in which to develop the concept for an exciting and diversified restaurant/brasserie serving a contemporary Chinese menu. Extensive liaison with Westminster Planning Department was instrumental in ensuring that the proposal complied with all the conservation requirements for the Grade II-listed building and that permission was granted. Externally, the original large windows confer street visibility to the new design and a glass canopy projecting on to the pavement highlights the entrance on the corner of Marylebone Station. Internally, the organic shape of a large floor opening incorporating a steel and glass stairway connects the two floors both visually and physically. At ground floor, the flowing spaces arranged around the floor opening form a lively bar/brasserie area extending into an adjacent annexe which allows views into the station hall. At basement level, the space has been divided in two areas: one, less visible from above, houses the kitchen and theatre cooking counters for teppanyaki, sushi and noodle bars; the other, with ample visual connections with the ground floor and extending into a series of vaults, is used for formal dining.   |