the admiralty
Somerset House, The Strand, London
The brief for the Admiralty Restaurant at Somerset House was to create a space that felt like it belonged with the original architecture of the building, whilst adding a contemporary, quirky edge. Large sash windows along the wall allow a flood of sunlight into the two dining rooms and adjoining bar, highlighting the high ceilings and galleon shaped chandeliers. Within this Grade 1 listed building, we worked closely with English Heritage, and the look was created largely with the fittings and furniture, whilst maintaining the classical architecture of the rooms. The Admiralty occupies three rooms, the first being an intimate bar, the second a small dining room coloured a suitable heritage shade of dark green and the third, larger room painted a near-burnt orange. Sky-blue leather-upholstered chairs and banquettes unite the rooms, as do Azagury-Partridge's light sculptures, including a shimmering ship in full sail, and objects such as a stuffed crocodile and a huge turtle shell. The creation of this unique look was created in collaboration with Solange Azagury-Partridge who sourced many of the unusual decorative fittings.
