FX Awards 2017: The Winners

Bar or Restaurant

Winner: Fucina Restaurant by Andy Martin Architecture

Best Bar or Restaurant : Fucina Restaurant by Andy Martin ArchitecturePhoto Credit: Nick Rochowski

Sponsored by Desso

Fucina is a refuge from the hustle and bustle of London life. AMA was challenged to create an environment that reflected the statement: ‘Organic produce, sustainably sourced and prepared honestly using Italian artisanal techniques’; its response was to produce a faithful portrait of Italian taste, with a contemporary representation of elements that reflect Italian culture.

Details include a unique, handmade antico mattone ceiling, a floor-to-ceiling steel-framed screen with handmade coloured-glass infill panels and wax candle wall lights, and flooring of hand-laid marble chips set into traditional terrazzo cemento borders, reminiscent of Carlo Scarpa’s Olivetti building.

Other uses of materials reinforce the organic nature of the restaurant with handmade brick, forest-wood, marble and burned steel panelling details. Even the smaller scale elements such as the furniture are riddled with knots in the timber frames and large tabletops rest on shaped tree branches.

The judges said:

‘Perfectly executed and detailed. The star of this restaurant is the handmade antico mattone ceiling. The use of the rustic against contemporary materials provides a strong focal point within the spaces without being pastiche. The coloured glass along the street frontage creates an interesting silhouette with light behind the panels – open and airy yet elements of intimacy work with the space in making it an enjoyable dining experience’

Finalists & judges' comments

Eneko at One Aldwych by Casson Mann
‘The space appears to sculpt the component parts out of the shell and core. Interesting choice of materials and dialogue’

Extension by Banty Interior Design Enterprise
‘Beautifully balanced architectural structure, cleverly composed. I would love hanging out here!’

Pinji, Diaoyutai Hotel Hangzhou, China by CCD/Cheng Chung Design Hong Kong & Shenzhen Asiantime International Construction
‘Luxury design at its best’

Bellavista Del Jardin Del Norte Restaurant by El Equipo Creativo
‘Fabulous attention to detail and well executed with unique lighting design; you are drawn in and want to see more’

Bamboo’s Eatery by Minggu Design
‘Beautiful textures and consistent use of materials with the bamboo – used externally as well as internally, in a variety of ways. Lovely!’

Copper by PTANG Studio
‘This is real elegant drama. Very clever design and the use of copper and lighting feels very true to the product’

Basalt by Rapt Studios
‘Beautiful mix of timber, concrete and simple ceramics makes an inviting and harmonious environment’

TAO Los Angeles by Rockwell Group
‘I love this! It has humour as well as beauty. It is bold and quirky but without being OTT – it is really well balanced’

Nobu Downtown by Rockwell Group
‘Sensitive and delightful insertion into a historic building. New dining experience under a origami-like sculpted timber canopy

Bikini by Travis Walton Architecture
‘Showbiz glamour, but maintaining a sense of maturity all the while. Love the textures, and subtlety of colour

RL by Union Atelier
‘Simple concept – flawlessly executed. Love the vibe created here by the high contrast. It feels refreshing, different and unique’

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