The Wahaca Southbank Experiment by Softroom Architects and a mural by Tristan Manco; photo by Joseph Burns

Eight recycled shipping containers have been converted into a new pop-up branch of London’s popular Mexican eatery, Wahaca, by the London-based practice Softroom Architects. The brightly-coloured, riverfront structure was erected on Southbank, right in front of the contrastingly monolithic Queen Elizabeth Hall, to coincide with the Southbank Centre’s summer-long Festival of the World. Boasting a dining area spacious enough to accommodate 130 guests, the Wahaca Southbank Experiment will remain open until at least January 2014. (more…)

Hoto Fudo by Takeshi Hosaka Architects; photo by Nacasa&Pertners Inc. / Koji Fujii

This eye-catching, organically-shaped restaurant overlooking Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji, has been realised by the Yokohama-based architectural practice Takeshi Hosaka Architects in 2009. Named Hoto Fudo, the now-popular establishment has been named after the traditional local noodle dish called Hōtō, which the diners can savour while enjoying the spectacular views of the highest peak in Japan. Reminiscent of an oversized, irregular igloo, the building is supported by an innovative, 100mm-thick urethane and Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete structure called “Sandwich RC Shell” which has been developed in collaboration with the engineering specialists Arup due to a specific ‘regional issues’ such as diverse climate conditions which include heavy snow as well as the increased seismic activity of the region. (more…)

Tusen Ramundberget restaurant by Murman Arkitekter

Tucked away among the snow peaks of the small Swedish ski resort Ramundberget, this circular restaurant by the Stockholm-based Murman Arkitekter studio blends seamlessly with its unspoiled surroundings thanks to the clever use of untreated birch logs which frame the structure. Realised in 2009, the restaurant’s design was inspired by the traditional Sami hut built for centuries by Sweden’s indigenous people, as explained by the architect Hans Murman in the video below. (more…)

The recently-completed interior of McDonald's restaurant by Patrick Norguet

Found in virtually every country in the world, the ubiquitous McDonald’s restaurant might not be the first place that springs to mind when talking about noteworthy, contemporary interior design but it’s all due to change thanks to the Parisian product designer Patrick Norguet who has just completed a revamp of fast-food giant’s Villefranche-de-Lauragais restaurant located 40 km away from Toulouse. (more…)

The interior of Manish Restaurant by ODVO and Mínima; photo by Demian Golovaty

Named after the traditional Lebanese flatbread, this cosy, 82-cover restaurant has been realised earlier this year in Brazil’s largest city, São Paulo by two Brazilian architectural practices, ODVO and Mínima. Featuring light-filtering, concrete Arabesque, Manish enables its diners to ‘see without being seen’ during the day while ‘during the night, the concept of artificial lighting promotes the opposite: for those who are out muxarabi is in the negative and all the internal atmosphere, created by diverse and customised lighting solutions, is revealed, inviting customers to come and experience the sensations offered by several different angles of the house.’ (more…)

The Cube by Park Associati

There are few restaurants whose unexpected location and spectacular views could rival with those of the recently completed temporary pavilion-cum-restaurant ‘Cube’. Commissioned by Electrolux and designed by the Milanese practice Park Associati, ‘The Cube’ can accommodate up to 18 diners within its 140-square-meter open-plan adaptable interior which encompasses ‘a visible kitchen and a single large table that can be made to disappear by raising it up to the ceiling to form a lounge area for use after eating.’ (more…)

'Very Small Cafés & Restaurants' by John Stones; published by Laurence King

Thanks to our friends at Laurence King Publishing, Architonic is giving away 5 FREE COPIES of ‘Very Small Cafés & Restaurants’ to Architonic Facebook fans. The draw will take place on 7 February. Good luck! >>


When you’re gasping for a cuppa (that’s desperate for a cup of tea for anyone who doesn’t live in the UK), you’re not going to get hung up on the size of the nearest café. Yet a number of leading designers have made a virtue out of limited space by creating functionally innovative and aesthetically intriguing eating and drinking spaces that punch well above their weight.

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Barbican Foodhall and Barbican Lounge by SHH, photo by Gareth Gardner

The London based architectural practice SHH realised, in cooperation with furniture designer Stefan Bench, lighting designers .PSLAB and garden designer Kate Gould, two new restaurant spaces within Europe’s largest multi-arts and conference venue, the Barbican Centre in London.

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