HOSPITALITY interiors specialist Jones Architecture + Design of Northampton has been shortlisted for the Casual Dining Restaurant and Pub Awards 2018, for their design of KuPP, West Quay Southampton.
As a finalist in the Best Designed Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year category, Jones AD was selected from designers across the UK, with a higher number of entries this year than ever before. The prestigious event, which has been labelled the Oscars of the industry, will take place on 21 February 2018 at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square.
Abi Perry-Jones, Creative Director of Jones AD, said: “To be recognised in this category is a real achievement for the Jones AD team. Competition between casual dining operators is fierce – if the design of the restaurant is not seen to be inviting, innovative and creating a point of difference then customers will go elsewhere.”
Jones AD was selected to design the third site for fast-growing brand KuPP. The KuPP vision brings together the best of Scandinavian design and cuisine for the UK market, delivering a casual all-day style of dining, grazing, drinking and socialising.
Commenting on the project, Abi said: “From our first meeting with the KuPP team, their vision for the brand was clear, and their enthusiasm was infectious. As this is the third KuPP location, we incorporated some features from the existing sites to retain the brand personality, but ensured that we added new elements to give this site its own identity and deliver a beautiful but practical space for this specific location and demographic.”
The feel of KuPP Southampton is a world away from the stark, minimalist and austere image that is often associated with Nordic design – the inspiration came instead from a more hospitable starting point, and the now well-understood concept of hygge. KuPP Southampton has a warm, cosy and welcoming atmosphere, with Scandinavian cabins as an influence – inviting, relaxing spaces designed for quality downtime with friends and family.
The design has retained the shell’s concrete finish in part, and features an open ceiling with services exposed. Abi explains “It was important to get the balance right and ensure that these more industrial elements were not overbearing. We featured warm, natural materials including screens from silver birch tree trunks and mixed in copper highlights to soften the look. We drew inspiration from the Scandinavian exhibition at the London Fashion and Textile Museum, and created a bespoke fabric for KuPP which is used for upholstery and loose cushions throughout the site.”
Jones Architecture + Design is now set to work with KuPP on the rollout of a new location in the coming months.