DaeWha Kang Design has completed a stunning courtyard and pavilion design for The OWO, the former Old War Office in Whitehall, London. The outdoor space has been transformed into the Grand Courtyard, creating a welcoming and unforgettable arrival for residents and visitors to The OWO and Raffles London at The OWO.
The Pavilion houses a bar and dining pavilion for Moma Group’s Parisien restaurant Café Lapérouse, anchoring the courtyard. It is flanked by The OWO Residences by Raffles on one side, and Raffles London at The OWO on the other. Given the important historical setting of William Young’s early 20th-century building, the new structure has been conceived with deep consideration for its surroundings, designed as a sculptural object as much as a building. The rippling fluid forms brings dynamism to the heavy formal architecture, creating an oasis of life and activity within Whitehall. At the same time, the mirror-polished metal shapes of the pavilion roof achieve a mirage effect, reducing visual intrusiveness on the historical context.
DaeWha Kang Design made the pavilion using stainless steel roof panels and finely crafted glass facades. A sculptural skylight marks the centre of the roof, allowing natural light to flood the interior, and the interior architecture is unified under finely crafted plaster. The concept was to imagine being inside a Georgia O’Keefe painting, with softly ribbed white columns developing into petals that radiate to form the entire ceiling, providing a beautiful setting for the Café Lapérouse interior designed by Cordelia de Castellane complemented by delicate landscaping that provides a backdrop for al fresco dining.
Although the materials chosen for the Pavilion were selected for their long-term durability, the design was also created with disassembly and afterlife in mind. The entire structure is prefabricated and can be easily taken apart for maintenance and replacement, and could even be relocated in full in the future if needed.
DaeWha Kang Design also created a stunning five-metre sculptural fountain, providing the yin to the yang of the pavilion. The interplay of real water and reflected metal waves creates a dramatic and dynamic experience for visitors to The OWO. The metalwork is finished with Aston Martin paint, giving a nod back to the James Bond link with the building.
Finally, the courtyard cobblestones have been carefully preserved for their historical value. These were the very stones that Winston Churchill and T.E Lawrence, aka Lawrence of Arabia walked on their way to work each day. Carefully documented and re-laid into a contemporary pattern, the cobbles now harmonise with both heritage architecture and new interventions.
The exquisitely crafted structure was made by Dutch-based firm Octatube, with cutting-edge engineering provided by Arup in London.
Client representative Shalini Hinduja says, “The stunning new Pavilion helps us achieve our goal of transforming this formerly closed site into a vibrant, beautiful place for all of London to enjoy.”
Studio founder DaeWha Kang says about the project, “A sustainable future for our planet will depend on radical new approaches to architecture and construction. Projects like the Grand Courtyard and Pavilion at The OWO show how quality, luxury, and inspiration can come from this meeting of old and new.”
