Greenwich Bar Project by Tom Dixon and ege carpets
Under the creative direction of Tom Dixon, London based Design Research Studio has explored the possibilities of carpets by installing the textile flooring in the ceiling and thereby created a bar interior never seen before.
A unique and bold mix
Craft London is a cocktail bar on the top floor of one of two glass pavilions by Marks Barfield Architects located on the Greenwich Peninsula.
The bar has an eclectic mix of materials, patterns and colours. The colour palette is subdued; the furniture is in traditional colours such as deep reds, purples and yellows against the black cork floor. The ceiling carpet provides the accents with the softer pinks and blues inspired by sunset colours. The focus is on the great pewter bar, which wraps around the curved space. The unique aspects about the new bar concept is the exploration of materials and textures, like the cork, pewter as well as the carpet pattern and application.
Design Research Studio explains: “We wanted to add as many soft textures as possible and as the space is glazed all around and has minimal wall space, we decided to make the most of the ceiling. Placing carpets on the ceiling allowed us to make a feature out of an often overlooked plane, as well as dramatically improve the acoustics of the space. With the carpet design, the creative team wanted to achieve something very abstract and soft that reflects the amazing sunset visible from the space with the cloud shapes and colours being the main inspiration.
“Placing carpets on the ceiling allowed us to make a feature out of an often overlooked plane, as well as dramatically improve the acoustics of the space.”
They go on to say “We had a great result working with ege on the Greenwich project. We thought we would need to create a custom pattern but were happily surprised when we discovered the “Fields of Flow” collection.”
An existing design with a new expression
Signe Fink Nørgaard, Designer at ege, has designed the “Fields of Flow” collection that reflects the area of tension between traditional Asian culture and Scandinavian design. A strong fusion based on respect for Feng Shui symbols that are reinterpreted by looking through the eyes of a young Danish designer. Signe Fink Nørgaard explains: “Through abstractions and creative thinking the elements have been clarified and sophisticated, twisted and simplified, enlarged and beautified over and over again into a contemporary interpretation of old values.”
The “Watercolour” design chosen for the ceiling is the result of an ancient Chinese technique used in a modern and powerful way that adds a translucent and artistic feeling. The Craft London project is a perfect example of how a standard design is recoloured and thereby transformed into a design that exceeds the wishes of the customer.
Photography: Peer Lindgreen