Olivier Delannoy designs mirrored "English Garden" for Soho Restaurant

Designed by the esteemed French architect Olivier Delannoy, the renowned Paris-based restaurant group Daroco has made its debut in London with a new outpost in the vibrant district of Soho.

This latest venture showcases a unique blend of curving, mirrored interiors and an English garden-inspired theme, offering a fresh dining experience to the city.

GALLERY  

Delannoy, who has previously worked on Daroco’s projects in Paris, brings a signature element from those locations to London – the mirrored ceiling. This distinctive feature not only enhances the spatial perception but also plays a crucial role in the restaurant’s overall aesthetic. “We approached this project with the aim of mirroring an English garden,” Delannoy explained. “In evoking the garden, the lighting fixtures were inspired by plant motifs such as flowers, water plant stems, and tree branches.”

The restaurant’s lighting design is a testament to this botanical inspiration. A variety of designer lights, including arm wall-mounted lights by Penta, flower-shaped wall-mounted lights by Leucos, and suspended glowing discs by DCW Edition, are strategically placed throughout the space. These fixtures contribute to a softly lit interior that harmonizes with the reflective ceiling, enhancing the garden ambiance.

Further extending the English garden theme, Delannoy incorporated nature-inspired elements into other aspects of the design. A standout feature is the large pizza oven adorned with blue butterflies, and the restaurant’s flooring, which mimics the gentle undulation of raindrops on a landscaped pond. “We designed the floor to be inspired by the undulation of the first raindrops on a landscaped pond,” Delannoy elaborated.

The dining areas within Daroco Soho boast a rich mix of materials and textures. Marble and wooden table tops are paired with plush, crushed-velvet seats. The fabric’s colour palette is thoughtfully chosen to evoke the flowers, earth, and vegetation commonly found at the water’s edge.

Delannoy’s design also draws from the Italian Renaissance, reflecting the cuisine served at the restaurant. The mirrored ceiling not only adds depth but also aims to create the illusion of a grander space reminiscent of a Renaissance hall. Visitors are greeted with brass arches inspired by Florence’s basilicas and a prominent counter that references the Baldachin – the monumental bronze canopy in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.

Daroco Soho stands as a testament to Olivier Delannoy’s innovative design approach, merging historical references with contemporary aesthetics to create a truly immersive dining environment. This new London outpost promises a distinctive culinary and visual experience, celebrating both English and Italian influences in a uniquely Parisian style.

Images by Julie Spicy via Dezeen

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