Pennethorne’s Cafe Bar in London by SHH Architects
Words by Yatzer
Location
1 Vencourt Place Ravenscourt Park, London, United Kingdom
Pennethorne’s Cafe Bar in London by SHH Architects
Words by Yatzer
1 Vencourt Place Ravenscourt Park, London, United Kingdom
1 Vencourt Place Ravenscourt Park, London, United Kingdom
Location
Somerset House, one of London’s major cultural institutions, is now home to the brand new café and bar Pennethorne’s. Situated on the west face of the neoclassical building, looking out onto Lancaster Place and Waterloo Bridge, the new day-to-night venue has been named after Sir James Pennethorne — the highly-reputed architect of the 19th century who was responsible for Somerset House’s 'New Wing' (which now houses the café/bar) as well as other landmarks in London. As was the case with so many people of his era who travelled around Europe on what were then known as ‘European Grand Tours’, Sir James did the same to discover the architecture of countries such as France, Italy and Spain in the early 19th century. Clearly influenced by what he saw, this piece of history has also inspired the interior design as well as the menu at the new café.
Photo by Gareth Gardner.
On the right, the 'Chef's Table' functions as a food display during daytime, and transforms into a communal drinking table at night. Photo by Gareth Gardner.
The cafés's menus hang from the Carrara marbe-clad Chef's Table. Photo by Gareth Gardner.
Photo by Gareth Gardner.
Photo by Gareth Gardner.
Photo by Gareth Gardner.
SHH, the studio behind the venue’s branding and interior design, has done a great job in referencing the story of Sir Jamesand the era he lived in but with a modern twist. Under the venue’s inky blue walls stand furniture in dark wood and bronze and a mix of new pieces and vintage finds, while a custom-made banquette in leather and navy blue velvet runs along the wall under the high windows that open out onto Lancaster Place. The elongated space is divided by a wall which has been covered with no less than 50 cameos of Sir James, each 25 cm high and an exact copy of the architect’s portrait. Visit Pennethorne’s Cafe Bar for freshly brewed coffee, beer, artisanal bakery items and eclectic small dining plates — ideally after a visit to one of Somerset House’s must-see exhibitions!
{YatzerTip} Currently on display at Somerset House: the UK’s largest ever retrospective of works by the revolutionary French fashion photographer Guy Bourdin!
The light installation that hangs over the banquettes is also custom-designed by SHH. Photo by Gareth Gardner.
The 'Brew Bar', covered in patent leather and Carrara marble, brews coffee during daytime and serves special beers and fine wines at night. Photo by Gareth Gardner.
Photo by Gareth Gardner.
Photo by Gareth Gardner.
Photo by Gareth Gardner.
Photo by Gareth Gardner.
Photo by Gareth Gardner.
Photo by Gareth Gardner.
Pennethorne's serves Three Sixty's 'Number One' blend as well as several other single-origin coffees. Photo by Gareth Gardner.
Photo by Gareth Gardner.
Photo by Gareth Gardner.
Photo by Gareth Gardner.
SHH's Head of Brand Priya Patel has created a series of images to accompany the identity, using 19th-century cartoon illustrations of people, with their heads replaced by drawings of either fruit and veg or culinary utensils. Photo by Gareth Gardner.
Photo by Gareth Gardner.
Photo by Gareth Gardner.
Photo by Gareth Gardner.