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Alexander Waterworth Interiors clinches UK and American awards

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Words by Emily Martin

Who
British company Alexander Waterworth Interiors is already causing a stir within the contract design industry since completing its first commission Kerbisher and Malt fish and chip restaurant in Shepherds Bush.

Hally's café, Parsons Green: One of the practice's first projects, the design scheme for the Californian/South African beach food cafe in south-west London was inspired by the food's two locations. The light and relaxed interior uses raw materials, such as scaffolding planks with a lime and wax treatment for 'warmth', while pastel colours 'gives it some punch'.

Since setting up the business, founding member Alexander Evangelou has completed several UK and international projects, as well as picking up a couple of awards along the way: in 2013's UK Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, for Kerbisher and Malt, and this year in the American Hospitality Design Awards for The Musket Room, Manhattan. Forward -looking Evangelou says: 'We are also planning on beginning the design and development of product ranges, such as lighting and seating.'

Why
A graduate from Middlesex University in 2004 in product design, Evangelou worked at the Martin Brudnizki Design Studio in London, and in 2011 decided to set up his own practice with initial business partner James Waterworth.

Q-Grill, Camden Town Completed this year for client Des McDonald, the Deep Southinspired eatery again features raw materials as seen in Hally's café, but with a much darker colour palette. 'It was important to get an element of theatre in and we made sure every seat could see some action by creating a huge bar and even bigger open kitchen with a roaring grill,' says Evangelou.

Evangelou says: 'Having a love for interior design and having worked for one of the best interior designer company around, it was the next natural step to set up on our own. It's been nothing short of enjoyable, though a lot of hard work too!'

The Musket Room, lower Manhattan For the practice's first project in the USA, the brief offered much creativity, which Evangelou relished, and he spent time with the Michelin-star chef and owner to get their take on the space. The design result features brass, walnut table tops, mid-century furniture, tall windows and a herb garden, so that customers can see the chef picking the herbs for their meal.

With offices in south-east London and New York the company looked for larger UK premises for its ever-expanding team, now comprising 14 designers in a studio in East London (and a couple in New York) but with plans for it to grow to 20 'in the coming months'.

Where
alexanderwaterworthinteriors.com