Oblix by Claudio Silvestrin, the restaurant on the 32nd floor of The Shard in London.
Designed by Renzo Piano, The Shard is the highest building in London and, at least for the moment, in Western Europe. Situated on the south bank of the Thames, near the Borough Market and Tower Bridge, it is an enormous glass skyscraper of 72 floors. On the 32nd floor sits the Oblix restaurant designed by the architecture studio of Claudio Silvestrin.
Claudio Silvestrin has sought to bring warmth to the space in contrast to the sensation of being suspended in a building above the river and city, due to the glass facade.
In order to achieve this, Silvestrin’s studio opted for the use of natural materials such as leather and wood which have been employed in the furniture. But the real star material is stone, since it covers the entire space in tones of brown, ocre and red.
It has even been used to make certain elements for the interior such as a vigorous base for the bar high table -in the image above- and a very long table top in the lounge -in the picture below-.
The restaurant is divided into two areas: the dining room and the bar. They are connected by an intentionally dark passage that contrasts with the light-filled dining and bar rooms. This tunnel is also covered in natural stone.
Curiously, the kitchen has been entirely integrated into the dining area. In fact, restaurant clients have to pass though it in order to arrive at their tables, thus getting a first hand impression of the colors and aromas of what they will eat before taking their seat. That is a truly excellent move from the architect, taking into account the video below about the cooking.
Photos: James Morris
Oblix Edificio The Shard, planta 32. 31 St Thomas Street. Londres SE1 9RY www.oblixrestaurant.com
