Bistrotheque and Carmody Groarke have been discussing finding ways of collaborating on a joint project since since meeting at the The Double Club last year. Having already designed temporary arts/entertainment venues: The Skywalk, a three day events pavilion at The British Museum for the 2008 London Festival of Architecture, and The Double Club, this particular project evolved through conversations about a dining experience within a new-build temporary architectural pavilion.
Through close collaboration with Bistrotheque, Carmody Groarke have evolved a form and internal arrangement that works for both the experience of front of house and the pragmatic requirements of running a kitchen and service back of house. The large dining room, capable of seating 120 guests, is broken into a cluster of timber rooms lined in scaffolding planks, proportioned to the scale of each of the dining room tables, allowing everyone to connect in a communal dining experience.
The pattern of the these rooms will be reinforced in the floor, creating a herringbone effect which will define the character of the individual spaces. As the structure is seen from all sides, and as such has been conceived as a pavilion without front or back - just like a solitaire - external balconies frame breathtaking panoramic views of the metropolis that is London, and its far-reaching landscape.
The roof of the pavilion structure is designed to be seen from all directions; a series of flying roofs, tilting towards key views forming a playful roofscape. The spaces beneath this roof consist of a number of interlocking ceilings creating a radiating series of spaces, from the central dining area with its grand piano to each of the external views.
To celebrate East London's creative spirit, Westfield Stratford City recently launched Studio East to give the next generation of innovative talent access to their industry's leading lights; a cultural committee chaired by retail guru Mary Portas, will award bursaries through 4 main areas: Tracey Emin for Art, Roland Mouret for Fashion, Tom Dixon for Product Design, and Erin O'Connor for Environment.
