Ahead of the Autumn opening of FONDA, the new highly anticipated restaurant from acclaimed Chef Patron Santiago Lastra, award-winning design studio A-nrd look back at the design of KOL, voted the 17th world’s best restaurant.
KOL opened its doors in London’s Marylebone in 2020. Chef Santiago Lastra’s debut restaurant, KOL is set over two-storeys and spans four-hundred square metres in the picturesque Seymour Street.
An innovative fusion restaurant that draws from Mexican and British influences, it is a design which for London-based design practice A-nrd saw their bespoke furniture and interior design culminate in their most immersive concept to date.
Journeying from Mexico City to Oaxaca and the Yucatan to research the nuances of Mexican culture and its artistry, A-nrd founder Alessio Nardi and creative partner Lukas Persakovas brought to life the spirit of the vibrant country and its inherent humbleness through a highly crafted, rich and layered material and colour palette.
Upon entering KOL, guests are instantly transported into the authentically designed environment. The interior architecture of KOL is deeply inspired by the work of Luis Barragán where stucco walls on different hues characterise the space. The colour palette is an ode to the streets of Mexico, alternating between various shades of yellow, pink and burnt orange.
In contrast, the floor used across the ground floor and devised to draw guests through the space is made of concrete slabs framed by a double run of oak planks and is an interpretation of the flooring outside Mexico City’s library.
An almost wholly bespoke project, the hand chiselled oak welcome desk designed by A-nrd is the first touch point which showcases the studio’s expertise in product design. On the wall a large custom canvas by renowned Mexican artist Fernando Laposse was commissioned for the project. The large-scale bespoke endemic design was made using humble corn husks which were reimagined in a marquetry effect.
In KOL’s main dining space, three kitchen islands are located centrally creating a theatrical yet homely atmosphere. The three kitchen islands are similarly crafted from hand-chiselled oak with patinaed metal surfaces. Ventilation is discreetly concealed by a custom timber frame. Balancing the space, reclaimed elmwood canopies extend to the ceiling holding table and serve ware.
Next to the kitchen islands, the stucco wall splits in height to reveal the heroes of KOL kitchen - the fire pit and the comal oven. Handmade British clay tiles clad the whole area, evoking the traditional Mexican Tezontle volcanic rock tiles in the true spirit of KOL: Mexican soul, British ingredients.
A burnt orange stucco wall with an extensive installation of Mexican artefacts sourced during the field trip and dating back to the mid-1900s creates an earthy backdrop for the kitchen theatre.
Seating is spread around all sides of the islands. KOL’s range of furniture was all created by A-nrd studio in collaboration with artisans in Italy and the UK. The whole furniture collection focuses on subtle detailing and natural materials and nod to the modernist aesthetic found throughout Mexico. A mix of bespoke booths with monolithic bases, armchairs, and tables in varying shapes and sizes are crafted from a mix of dark stained oak, travertine and soft leather in steel blue and chestnut hues.
The tables are a mix of honed silver travertine stone and oak wood which has been hand-planed to add tactility. The stone tabletops seem to be floating, with accentuated interlocking leg details. The oak wood chairs also present the same hand-planed finish and sleek leather upholstery while the window benches are more of a sculptural piece with travertine block bases and a suspended leather backing.
From the high stucco and timber beamed ceiling, brass pendant lights hand above window booths. Organic in shape the pendants feature subtle textural details and provide a warm ambient glow. Aiding the look and feel of the interior, a verdant mix of planting adds a biophilic layer to the design.
Heading to the lower floor a circular glazed stairwell makes a dramatic visual statement. The descent is characterised by a raw steel and oak spiral staircase, enveloped by a rippled panes of hand-blown glass in clearand amber tones with the glazing inspired by the historical buildings found in Mexico city’s Roma neighborhood.
Hanging clay lamps and planters by Mexican artisans accentuate the height adding tonal depth to the drum and encourage guests to descend to basement level. Here KOL’s Mezcaleria and Chef’s Table can be found.
The private Chef’s Table Dining Room at KOL is inspired by the grand modernist Mexican mansions A-nrd saw in Oaxaca with raw textural materials and a Wabi aesthetic. A floor to ceiling concrete finish is interrupted only by a reclaimed timber parquet floor runner and exposed dark oak beams. Décor is minimal and walls are punctuated in the true spirit of KOL with a mix of authentic Mexican folk art and contemporary British crafted objects. Dark oak framed glazing adds a sleek modernity to the space and connects the dining room to a private chef’s kitchen allowing behind-the-scenes access to the creation of KOL’s acclaimed menu, and an enclosed patio featuring an installation of lush greenery.
A large bespoke table by A-nrd Studio continues the language of the interior architecture. Two hand-planed oak planks are merged by a central concrete runner to create a sectional sharing table for up to 22 guests paired with chairs upholstered in a green leather.
Ensuring design details run through the two-story restaurant to create a familiar and connected interior scheme, four long hexagonal pendant lights designed by A-nrd and crafted by Fernando Laposse from corn husks by hang above the central seating area to illuminate the space.
Next to the chef’s table, the lively Mezcaleria bar brings a Mexican coastal vibe to London. The extensive use of natural materials - reclaimed wood flooring, bespoke caned booth seating, seagrass lights - add warmth to space and contrast the monolithic concrete bar with reclaimed oak beam inserts. Both the Mezcaleria and the Chef’s table are punctuated by selected artworks - alternating Mexican folk art and contemporary British crafted objects in true KOL ethos.
Working closely with chef Santiago Lastro on the concept for KOL, it was important for A-nrd to create a space that was authentic and removed from cliché. The transportive space, just like the menu evokes emotions of warmth and homeliness and celebrates the studio’s award-winning expertise within both interior and product design.
Team:
Architect: A-NRD
Main contractor: Interiors UK
Lighting: INTO lighting
Upholstery: William Austin
Photography: Charlie McKay + Maureen Evans
Material Used:
FF&E
1. Tiles: Solus, Milagros
2. Wood flooring: Braodleaf
3. Concrete: Ideal work
4. Stone: Marmobon
5. Leather: Yarwood
6. Lighting: Gervasoni, Tallerluum, Mullen
