Firebird is a restaurant project by Madina Kazhimova and Anna Dolgushina, founders of Wong Kar Wine and Made in China, which recently opened in London's Soho. The concept of the place is based on Mediterranean cuisine in its original design with a focus on seasonal farm products. Firebird offers outdoor food and an extensive wine list with an emphasis on natural and biodynamic drinks from small estates around the world.
The restaurateurs invited the St. Petersburg studio DA Bureau to decorate the interior. “The main task for us was to create a space with the right details, music and light, the relaxed atmosphere of which would mentally transport guests to the sunny Mediterranean,” says the team. “We aimed to make Firebird unlike any other restaurant in the city.” This is the first project in London both for us and for Madina and Anna, so the location of the project has become the main innovation in the work. We were particularly inspired by Soho itself, an area known for its vibrant nightlife and attracting a wide range of people.”
“The room is 90 square meters. meters is located in a historical building and represents a narrow, elongated space, classic for central London, which was sometimes difficult, but interesting to work with,” say the architects. The historical foundation was partially preserved: under layers of plasterboard, concrete beams and old walls with many layers of paint and plaster were revealed. The interior is formed according to the principle of a residential building - with a kitchen and fireplace in the center and a secluded courtyard in the back.
At the entrance, guests are greeted by a bar where you can order an aperitif while waiting for your table or spend the whole evening. The heart of the space is the open kitchen and grill, which allow you to watch the dishes being prepared on the fire. Next is the main hall, reminiscent of a Greek or Italian villa. Shutter doors lead to the internal pergola - the main dominant feature of the space. Combined with olive trees, shade and marble, it gives rise to associations with a Mediterranean courtyard.
An oak bench, wooden tables, dripping candles on the shelves and vintage furniture complete the look. “We sought to use a minimum of materials and architectural techniques, leaving only the most expressive solutions, to create a relaxed atmosphere of the sunny regions of southern Europe and the mood of a wonderful adventure in pleasant company,” adds the studio team. “Terracotta ceramic tiles in combination with thin stainless steel elements and strict geometric volumes of white planes create a bright contrast that emphasizes the textures of natural materials, and warm spot light adds a feeling of coziness and intimacy.”
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