Nottingdale Cafe by Found Associates
Nottingdale Cafe in West London
London studio Found Associates have completed this restaurant with an oak and concrete interior in West London. Called Nottingdale Cafe, the architect added a mezzanine level. In addition, created a 10 meter-long bar clad in porcelain panels. Blackboard paint applied directly to the walls provides a surface for wine lists and specials.
Found Associates were appointed to devise a new restaurant concept for the Nottingdale Village development in West London. The building resides opposite the Westfield Shopping Centre. Following their successful implementation of TalkTalk’s new head office, the restaurant is the second building Found have been appointed to work on within this development (by award winning architects AHMM).
Philosophy of Nottingdale Cafe
The philosophy behind the restaurant is to serve the best ingredients in an unpretentious manner. At the same time, it offers a relaxed but stimulating environment for the customer. Although the restaurant offers food throughout the day, there are two separate dining experiences. On one hand, the lunch offer being an inexpensive frequently changing menu aimed at staff in the adjacent offices. On the other hand, the dinner offer provides more refined a la carte menu aimed to set the establishment as an occasional venue.
The Architecture
Found have reinterpreted the internal form of the building, adding a new cantilevered mezzanine with glazed balustrade. This creates a dynamic series of linear single and double height spaces that rationalises the limited internal volume. Moreover, it reacts against the buildings angular plan form and external elevations.
Porcelain was selected for the counter not only for the unique quality of the finished material but also as a reference to the history of the site. Each porcelain panel to the front, side and top of the counter has been created using bespoke moulds that have been formed, fired and glazed by a specialist supplier.
The aim was to retain as much of the existing structure as possible, whilst offsetting the harder elements with natural materials. Much of the ground floor walls have received blackboard paint to enable the menu, specials and wine lists. Solid oak with a natural finish was selected for the main floors and stairs to provide a warm contrast to the concrete and black walls. The chairs and tables are also solid oak provided by specialist suppliers. The bar stools were ordered as soon as the design was brought out of prototype. The result is impressive. Enjoy.
