DesignLSM implements the interior design for the food and dining areas on Level 2 at 22 Bishopsgate, London.
The new, people-focused workplace destination can accommodate a community of up to 12,000 residents and visitors.
Designed to put user experience and human interaction at its core, 22 Bishopsgate is the first major London building to embody the structural and cultural shifts in how people work and live. At nearly 1.5 million square feet, the building features game-changing office spaces along with shared corners for eating, fitness, learning, well-being and socialising. It is also the first building in the UK to apply for the WELL Building Standard; this includes triple-glazed windows, which not only increase the energy efficiency of the building but also reduce noise and boost the level of natural daylight by 60%, reducing the need for internal lighting and providing a healthier environment.
DesignLSM says: “We are thrilled to be a part of this monumental and exciting development of 22 Bishopsgate. Our collaborative design delivers a highly polished and thoughtful aesthetic capturing the spirit of a modern-day guild. Creating a true ‘sense of place’ where the 22 Bishopsgate community can unwind, dine, relax and socialise.”
Level 2 of 22 Bishopsgate, operated by Rhubarb Catering, is home to a restaurant, a food market comprising of four kiosks (with one of the kiosks being a rotating concept that will be selected by the tenants quarterly), an external terrace, a culture space and a 'Speakeasy'. The 20,000 sq ft food hub will provide tenants with a welcoming “local” for meetings and gatherings, and The Culture Centre and Speakeasy will also support a dynamic programme of music, talks and private events. Technology plays a pivotal role at 22 Bishopsgate, being used for convenience for residents who want their coffee ready for pick-up on arrival or schedule a lunch delivery to their desk.
Karen Taylor – DesignLSM’s lead designer, with over two decades of industry knowledge and passion for creating exceptional hospitality experiences – worked together with Amy Morris of Morris Project NYC to create a timeless and highly polished aesthetic for the space, drawing their vision from the crafted ethos of the London guilds. London once had close to 90 guilds, mostly in the inner city. Their purpose was to provide welfare to their members and a place to gather and share ideas. Nowadays, after years on the decline, these urban guilds have experienced a revival. The design for 22 Bishopsgate seeks to emulate their noble objectives; encouraging the development of community while supporting collaboration, well-being and discovery.
Pioneering several new design environments on the second floor, the studio has created a refined and timeless space featuring beautiful pieces of crafted furniture such as the Lightwood Stools, designed by British designer Jasper Morrison and manufactured by Maruni, and the updated design version of the 675 Robin Day Chair for the restaurant, as well as designing bespoke natural solid oak joinery items, culminating in a elegant and stylish dining experience that both embraces the past and looks to the future.
The restaurant, seen as an independent space, boasts a neutral colour palette interspersed with subtle brown hues with the muted tones referencing the Heraldic emblems of the guilds. The bespoke murals – each one seen as an individual painting – coupled with the use of natural materials, soft natural plaster and oak arches communicate a sense of balance and harmony, allowing guests to come together for shared experiences.
Custom-designed lighting also plays a pivotal role, creating a warm and intimate area for guests while the open kitchen adds a culinary theatre to the restaurant. Energy and vibrancy are created within the main space through the open kitchen kiosks – providing an honest engagement between the culinary concepts and the guests.
Those wishing for tranquility should visit the speakeasy. A stark contrast to the well-lit, contemporary dining space, the hideaway is elevated and intimate. Offering tenants a gorgeous, sultry, intimate area to relax, unwind and spend an evening looking out on to the splendid views below.Effortlessly encapsulating a future-thinking work/life balance, 22 Bishopsgate is a remarkable feat of both physical and social engineering, with DesignLSM’s industry-leading interior design matching the building’s ambition.
