duck + rice restaurant in london by autoban

autoban’s duck + rice restaurant integrates abstracted geometric patterns
photography by ed reeve

istanbul-based design studio autoban has completed a chinese-themed establishment in london’s soho neighborhood. named ‘the duck and rice’, the venue houses a pub with a chinese kitchen, all contained on two levels of an existing building. the scheme pays homage to densely decorated victorian drinking places, while simultaneously incorporating asian influenced features.

the pub and restaurant are all contained on two levels of an existing building

abstracted geometric patterns are integrated throughout the design, from the glazed façade to the metal screen dividers, which delineate the internal program. a mix of opaque and transparent surfaces creates a modern stained glass effect, which lends a richly layered, dynamic surface to the exterior. in warmer months, the windows on the upper floor can open up onto the lively berwick street below, which has a bustling daily market.

the scheme pays homage to the densely decorated victorian drinking establishments

inside the restaurant, oversized white tiles with striking blue floral motifs cover the walls and are repeated in sections of the ceiling. the cladding references china’s renowned pottery traditions, and pay tribute to the blue and white porcelain glaze first used during the rang dynasty.

oversized white tiles with striking blue floral motifs cover the walls

four glowing copper beer tanks greet visitors at the entrance, referencing the space’s former use as a traditional british pub. the ground floor has a long, marble bar and a mix of high top tables and low seating with a fireplace and booths warmed by freestanding wood burning stoves.

a dramatic cast iron staircase leads up to the first floor

a dramatic cast iron staircase leads up to the first floor, which accommodates a casual dining room. a series of banquettes are complemented by rectangular tables with rough honed, richly veined marble tabletops wrapped in a sinuous oak shell with aged brass bases.

autoban also created a range of bespoke furniture and lighting for the scheme

in addition to overseeing the refurbishment of the building, autoban has also created a range of bespoke furniture and lighting for the duck and rice. this includes the chairs, barstools, tables, stools, and sofas with both leather and fabric upholstery.

a casual dining room is found upstairs

the duck and rice is autoban’s second london collaboration with restaurateur alan yau. their first project, ‘babaji‘ — a contemporary turkish pide restaurant — opened in january 2015.

cladding references china’s renowned pottery traditions