Creating a buzz: designing a new London restaurant & bar
We’re excited to share the results of our latest project – the design and rebrand for the launch of popular Far Eastern restaurant Tampopo’s new site in the heart of London’s cosmopolitan Wimbledon neighbourhood.
From brunch to late-night bar: serving up a stylish space
The new restaurant features a double-height 726m2 space which creates a shopfront with impact – clearly visible from outside, it reveals some of the playful lighting features, mirrored walls and arched timber details within, along with the striking central island bar. The restaurant operates from morning brunch service through to a late-night buzzy bar, welcoming families, groups and individuals at different times, and our design needed to support a smooth operation. We used a mix of flooring types, lighting and furniture to create zones within the restaurant and bar areas, while careful planning of ceiling heights and shapes makes movement throughout the venue seamless and instinctive.
Take a seat: flexible furniture and bespoke booths
We included fixed booth seating for longer stays, and more flexible furniture to allow for larger groups. The bar area features high poseur seating and fixed upholstered seating, including stools made from upcycled crates. Alongside this are two ‘Phuket Pods’ – nest-shaped booths, clad in slatted timber. A fun focal point, they’re set to become the ‘most-wanted’ table of choice and a perfect backdrop for social media snaps with friends.
Design details
A curved bar at the heart of the venue is a sociable space, with parasol-shaped canopy with an illuminated bar top adding an inviting glow which highlights the tiled frontage. A dramatic, sweeping curved ceiling radiates from the bar, which is topped with a striking parasol-shaped canopy. Elsewhere, a raised area includes the open kitchen pass, allowing guests to enjoy the theatre of chefs at work. This area features a mirrored wall panel, overlaid with graphics of cranes and koi – this gives the impression of a double width space and reflects the brightly-coloured lanterns and panelled ceiling above.
Bring light: bespoke fittings to add ambiance
Lighting design was key to adapting the mood from day to night, with lanterns, rattan pendants and concealed lighting used in order to add atmosphere and create dramatic effects within the space. We designed bespoke light fittings for the project, including backlit parasol wall lights which use traditional parasols imported from Japan.
Moving outside: increased capacity year-round
Our design makes full use of the outside terrace, where a further 40 covers for drinking and dining are accommodated with a mix of fixed and loose seating. Cocoon-shaped statement rattan chairs are positioned at the entrance and bespoke fabric-covered parasols feature both heating and lighting to extend dwell time and capacity throughout the year.
