Tom Brown brings Cornwall to London
Designed by Holland Harvey Architects, celebrated chef Tom Brown will be opening his new restaurant, Cornerstone, at the end of April.
Words by Dorothy Musariri
Due to open in April in the heart of Hackney Wick, Cornerstone is the new solo venture from Chef Tom Brown – who will be bringing his Cornish heritage to London. Designed by London-based architects Holland Harvey Architects, the restaurant acts as a reflection of Brown’s interest in English cooking.
The space is a modest, energetic environment that features design choices that both connect Brown to his Cornish roots, whilst celebrating the industrial history of London’s east end. Perceived as a ‘stage’, the kitchen is positioned in the centre of the restaurant; it will be used as a counter-bar, with the intent of diners sharing and being able to watch Brown and his team at work.
Located in the first new building of larger Hackney Wick and Fish Island Masterplan, Cornerstone has a minimal approach to materials – with also has understated lighting. One of the main features of the space is a 5,000-year-old bog oak table recovered from the bottom of a river in Croatia; the piece was built by Jack Badger after Brown commissioned it to encourage communal dining. Other contemporary pieces of furniture within the restaurant were supplied by English companies Ercol, Modus and Goldfinger Factory.
“You have an idea of what you want but Holland Harvey took the essence of that and turned the volume up, making it better than I ever could,” Brown mentions, discussing the design. “They’re artists like that – they can turn a brief into something more than you could have imagined.” With April 28th – Cornerstone’s launch date – fast approaching, we can’t wait to visit London’s east end to find this distinctive space, and a taste of Cornwall.
