The Cube in London / Park Associati

The Cube, a nomadic, stateless and cosmopolitan piece of architecture designed by Park Associati, is a pavilion designed to host a small, temporary restaurant. Originating from Electrolux’s concept of an itinerant restaurant, The Cube has been conceived and organized by the Belgian event agency Absolute Blue with the logo and texture design by Studio FM Milano. Their architectural project has been conceived as a module that can be assembled and disassembled relatively easily. The structure, which will be on exhibit in London until September 30, is suitable for all climatic conditions, even the most extreme, while always providing the maximum in living comfort with its refined aesthetics and use of high-quality materials. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Designed to visit unexpected and dramatic locations throughout Europe, The Cube was launched in Brussels in April 2011, where it remained until July on the arc of the Parc du Cinquantenaire. In December 2011 the restaurant was opened in the heart of Milano sitting on a roof in Piazza del Duomo, just a few meters away from the Cathedral’s spires. After the dismantling at the end of April 2012, the restaurant will now have a double venue simultaneously, thanks to two twin structures.

The project is located on top of the Royal Festival Hall at the Southbank Centre. Two weeks later the twin restaurant opened in Stockholm, on the roof of the Royal Opera House. As the previous ones, the two new locations of The Cube are unique and offer a magnificent view on the roofs of the cities. The Cube seats 18 people for lunch or dinner and will house some of the best star chefs who will perform live for their guests, offering special menus prepared in the kitchen of the restaurant.

The pavilion’s lightness of form is emphasized on the exterior by its white color and given a sense of movement through the use of an aluminum “skin” that has been laser-cut to create a texture with a geometric design that covers the exterior surface. The base of the building, slightly raised with respect to the ground, accentuates the idea of lightness and cleanness of form that is characteristic the entire structure. Inside, more highly advanced technological solutions can be found in the lighting, heating, sound system and obviously, the kitchen equipment.

The interior of the The Cube has been designed to accommodate various configurations; the pavilion consists of a large open space with a visible kitchen and a single large table that can disappear by raising it to the ceiling, allowing space for a lounge area after dinner. The total floor area of 140 sqm is divided between the open space and a 50 sqm terrace. The employed materials are highly innovative in terms of technology, eco-sustainability and energy saving, as well as constantly reusable.

Architects: Park Associati
Location: London, England
Design Team: Filippo Pagliani, Michele Rossi, Lorenzo Merloni (project leader), Alessandro Rossi, Alexia Caccavella, Alice Cuteri, Fabio Calciati_Rendering
Event Concept and Project Management: Absolute Blue, Bruxelles
Graphic Consulting and Texture Design: Studio FM, Milano; Cristiano Bottino, Barbara Forni, Sergio Menichelli con Libero Corti
Contractor: Nüssli AG, Hüttwilen, CH
Local General Contractor: MACE GROUP
Structural Engineering: PRICE & MYERS
Local Architects: Allies and Morrison Architects
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering: Greenville, Milano; Ing. Fabrizio Onofri
Floor Coverings: FMG SpA, Fiorano Modenese, (MO); Greenwood srl, Salzano (VE)
External Lighting: I Guzzini, Milano
Interior Lighting: Zumtobel SpA, Milano
Appliances: Electrolux Home Appliance; Electrolux Professional Appliance; Stoccolma
Hood: Max Fire SpA, Villotta di Chions (PN)
Furniture: Driade SpA, Milano
Carpets: Kasthall Italy, Milano
Client: Electrolux Home Appliances Emea N.V
Area: 140 sq/m.