Architect’s design saw off stiff competition for small but prestigious job

Architect Nex has won the competition to design a cafe oupside the Saatchi Gallery in London.

The firm saw off competition from Archtiecture 00, Carmody Groarke, Duggan Morris Architects, Pernilla Ohrstedt & Sarah Price Landscapes and TaylorSnell.

The £2m Cadogan Cafe will feature a roof terrace and glass wall.

Hugh Seaborn, chief executive of client the Cadogan Estate said the design “combines functionality with a sense of elegant self-containment”.

Alan Dempsey, director at Nex, said the brief was “challenging”.

“After thorough analysis, we were convinced that the best approach was an architecture which resonated with the architectural heritage of the site, while providing a contemporary space that has flexibility for year round use. This was the best competition we’ve entered,” he said.

The firm will now lead a team including engineer AKT II, Equals Cost Consultants, designer  Atelier 10, DHA Design and The Enterprise Collective at the University of the Arts Chelsea to develop the design.

The competition was run by architecture consultant Malcolm Reading Associates for the Cadogan Estate.

Topics