UK architecture practice nex? has designed a restaurant and roof garden in chelsea, an area of south-west london. located on duke of york square, the building is the final element of the plaza?s redevelopment. conceived as a new landmark for the district, the sculptural structure aims to respect and enhance its prestigious surroundings, while incorporating new public space and greenery. the building?s spiraling form is defined by a slender off-white concrete wall that curls upwards from the square, while serving as a contemporary continuation of an historic wall that stands at the edge of the site.

all images © james brittain
 
 
?while large openings housing the main restaurant space can be seen as a classically-informed colonnade, its impressive form and sense of movement nevertheless give the restaurant an unmistakably contemporary character,? says nex?, a london-based firm founded in 2008 by alan dempsey. ?as a piece of architecture that offers pleasing views when approached from all sides, the completed building is a graceful addition to the square with an intriguing and welcoming presence.?
 
 
a bespoke steel frame prevented the need for horizontal mullions, while the glass panels within the three wider openings are retractable, opening up the ground floor space during good weather. the weighted sash windows simply slide down into a basement trench, a mechanism that the design team says is the first example of a retractable curved glass system anywhere in the...