Hospitality

Flat Iron, Kensington

Location
Kensington

Client
Flat iron

Status
Complete

The 12th restaurant in Flat Iron family, in South Kensington, London. The design challenge was to create a contemporary restaurant whilst retaining the beautiful character of the historic grade II* listed site. The restaurant is quintessentially a Flat Iron whilst still retaining its own unique personality.

Photographs by Justin De Souza

The narrow but tall site was, at times, a restoration project that celebrates the amazing original building.

The original floor was restored and retained and some of the existing structural walls were exposed. Over this original canvas glulam beams were added to provide a texture to the ceiling and to lower this down to improve the sense of enclosure and the intimacy of the dining experience. Wood panelling was added to soften down some of the structure, some of it left as characterful oak and some of it decorated in the brand colours. These natural finishes are set against new tiling in a contrasting blue with bespoke delft, hand painted patterns to elevate them.

Harnessing natural light to bring the space to life

New skylights were installed to the dining room at the rear and in the centre of the restaurant to bring natural light to what would have been a deep and dark space. Planting was added to these areas to harness this natural light and to bring these spaces to life.