Crimson tiles and uniform bar stools set the scene at Canary Wharf’s softly lit Kricket restaurant, designed by London studio Cake Architecture to evoke the moody mystery of an Edward Hopper painting.
Tucked under the railway on Canary Wharf’s North Dock, Kricket is a modern Indian restaurant with locations across London.
The eatery is characterised by a gently curved, tiled concrete facade with large windows.
Dramatically illuminated from the inside, Kricket Canary Wharf takes cues from the saturated works of American realist painter Edward Hopper – in particular his 1942 depiction of an all-night diner in Nighthawks.
“We were immediately drawn to the site’s location – nestled among sleek glass and steel towers, directly beneath the massive steel framework of the train line above,” explained Cake Architecture director Hugh Scott Moncrieff.
“It has this gritty urban energy, almost an ‘under the bridge downtown’ kind of vibe,” he told Dezeen.
Inside, the restaurant’s open-plan layout is anchored by a 15-metre-long kitchen counter that doubles as a bar lined with identical red stools. Stainless steel was applied to the food preparation spaces.
Clad in vivid crimson ceramic tiles, the counter was topped with petite bulbous desk lamps, creating dedicated and intimately lit spots for diners.
“With a late-night license, we loved the idea of Kricket as a spot where you could slide in for a meal at 1.00am after a long shift, a night out, or both,” considered Scott Moncrieff.
Natural timber also “plays a significant role” in the restaurant. For the large seating area, Cake Architecture selected solid pine chairs by Finnish brand Vaarnii and British sweet chestnut table tops crafted by local manufacturer Fallen & Felled.
The table legs were finished in striking powder-coated red steel to reinforce the space’s graphic identity.
“We wanted to create a space that felt warm, vibrant and inviting, yet retained a certain rawness and moody depth,” explained Scott Moncrieff.
Furniture designer and frequent Cake Architecture collaborator Eddie Olin created translucent fabric curtains for the open-plan space.
Suspended from brushed aluminium frames, the lightweight textiles subtly divide the different dining zones and add a delicate touch to the otherwise “brutal elegance” of the restaurant design.
Red and yellow light is cast across the restaurant by orange-hued pendant lights that hang above the tables.
The studio was aiming for a “sexy, sultry and atmospheric” setting, enhanced by the oversized neon K logo that glows above the entrance.
The restaurant’s steely surfaces were informed more by practicality than by their current popularity among furniture and interior designers.
“While stainless steel is certainly having a moment, we weren’t chasing trends,” said Scott Moncrieff. “Instead, we focussed on honest, hardwearing materials – robust, functional and built for purpose.”
“With an open kitchen, stainless steel made perfect sense, offering durability and ease of maintenance,” he continued. “The space has an unpolished, energetic feel. So equally, thick and chunky timber elements that can take a knock also felt fitting.”
“Kricket’s food is artfully composed, full of bold flavours and dramatic presentation,” added Scott Moncrieff. “We wanted the interiors to echo that sense of craftsmanship, layering textures and materials with the same attention to detail and artistry seen in the dishes.”
This is the first restaurant project from the Cake Architecture team, which was also responsible for designing the speakeasy-style bar located next door. Elsewhere in London, the studio drew on Bauhaus principles for a Hoxton bar with utilitarian interiors.
The photography is by Felix Speller.
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