As part of its complete restoration, Conran & Partners were responsible for the redesign of the main restaurant unit within the Royal Festival Hall on London’s Southbank. The former ‘People’s Palace’ was relaunched as a D+D London restaurant, ‘Skylon’.
Part of the original Royal Festival Hall design dating from 1951, the restaurant enjoys a ceiling height of six metres with floor to ceiling glazing along a 36 m aspect to the Thames and has large glazed walls to the internal lobby spaces of the RFH. Now a Grade 1 Listed Building, our design for the restaurant space, and palette of materials and colours, is informed by the details of the original building design.
Whilst retaining its openness, the scheme brings a feeling of intimacy to a vast space. Five bespoke bronze metal chandeliers, referencing details found in the original design, break up the enormous ceiling height whilst making a striking statement when viewed from the exterior of the building and from Hungerford Bridge.
The previously uninterrupted restaurant area is now divided into two dining areas on either side of a glamorous, bronze-clad bar, which on its raised platform forms the centrepiece of the room. One side of the room is a more informal brasserie-style dining area, with warm walnut floor and joinery and golden olive chairs. The opposite side of the room has a more formal ambience, where an olive green carpet is complemented by leather banquettes and dining sofas.
Part of the original Royal Festival Hall design dating from 1951, the restaurant enjoys a ceiling height of six metres with floor to ceiling glazing along a 36 m aspect to the Thames and has large glazed walls to the internal lobby spaces of the RFH. Now a Grade 1 Listed Building, our design for the restaurant space, and palette of materials and colours, is informed by the details of the original building design.
Whilst retaining its openness, the scheme brings a feeling of intimacy to a vast space. Five bespoke bronze metal chandeliers, referencing details found in the original design, break up the enormous ceiling height whilst making a striking statement when viewed from the exterior of the building and from Hungerford Bridge.
The previously uninterrupted restaurant area is now divided into two dining areas on either side of a glamorous, bronze-clad bar, which on its raised platform forms the centrepiece of the room. One side of the room is a more informal brasserie-style dining area, with warm walnut floor and joinery and golden olive chairs. The opposite side of the room has a more formal ambience, where an olive green carpet is complemented by leather banquettes and dining sofas.
- Best Design Time Out Eating & Drinking Awards 2007
- Best Design Theme Bar & Restaurant Awards 2008
