Parabola — London, UK
What’s a museum, no matter how new or bold-faced its credentials, without an equally tempting dining room in which to rest weary feet, and to dismantle the blockbuster show you’ve just swept through? It’s a gastronomic question that applies equally to the Design Museum’s new home in John Pawson’s freshly renovated former Commonwealth Institute in London.
Located on the top floor of the building, Parabola – a reference to the swoop of the copper roof – is awash with natural light and soothing views of Holland Park’s green swathe. By the looks of it, Universal Design Studio has spared no expense in its fit-out, installing long stretches of polished pewter and populating the floor with collaborative designs by the likes of Flos, Vitra and Benchmark.
In the main restaurant, waiter stations are built of blue stained ash, window banquettes with green leather, whilst the bar is lined with stools designed by Barber & Osgerby for Vitra. Meanwhile, the members’ room extrapolates the pewter mood-board with blue and black sofas alongside wood benches and seats, again by Barber & Osgerby.
But what of the food, you ask? Well, restaurateur Prescott & Conran has installed a series of guest chefs, the first of which is Rowley Leigh who is on kitchen duty until 28 January. He delivers familiar favourites like the Parmesan custard with anchovy toast; pike sausages; partridge served with cabbage chartreuse; and steamed oysters with beef jelly.
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
224-238 Kensington High Street
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Daven Wu is the Singapore Editor at Wallpaper*. A former corporate lawyer, he has been covering Singapore and the neighbouring South-East Asian region since 1999, writing extensively about architecture, design, and travel for both the magazine and website. He is also the City Editor for the Phaidon Wallpaper* City Guide to Singapore.
-
The Nokia Design Archive goes live – relive the early years of mobile multimedia
The archive of Finnish tech pioneers Nokia has been entrusted to Aalto University. Now you can explore the company’s archive of models, concepts and marketing material through an online portal
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Isabel + Helen pull together to turn ideas into reality for the Wallpaper* Design Awards issue cover
Step behind the scenes of the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2025 cover. Designed by Isabel + Helen, it is a welcome reminder that we still have magic in our own minds and hands
By Hugo Macdonald Published
-
Gucci turns its windows into an endless library of books, artefacts and rare treasures
Featuring a collaboration with artist Luca Pignatelli, ‘Endless Narratives’ unfolds in Gucci store windows worldwide – a reflection of creative director Sabato de Sarno’s broad cultural interests
By Jack Moss Published
-
London’s first all-suite hotel, The Emory, wins Wallpaper* Design Award 2025
The Emory earns our Best Suites award for flawlessly embodying the creative aesthetic of a host of world-class designers
By Lauren Ho Published
-
Wallpaper* Design Awards 2025: meet the travel winners transcending destinations
Discover the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2025 travel winners: the year’s places to stay, dine, drink and join
By Lauren Ho Published
-
Don’t Tell Dad: comfort eating is hot stuff at this new London bakery and restaurant
A bakery in the morning, a restaurant from lunchtime, Don’t Tell Dad is the talk of Queen’s Park
By Ben McCormack Published
-
Fine dining is plant-powered at this intimate east London restaurant
Chef Kirk Haworth’s Plates, designed by Design & That, thrives in its synergetic dialogue between people, nature and ingredients
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
The design-led restaurants to know in 2025
This year’s most read-about restaurant openings to inspire your 2025 cravings, from a playful diner in New York to an art-and-dining hub in Marrakech
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
The most whimsical hotel Christmas trees around the world
We round up the best hotel Christmas tree collaborations of the year, from an abstract take in Madrid to a heritage-rooted installation in Amsterdam
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Wallpaper* checks in at Hyde London City, the perfect free-spirited bolthole
Hyde London City, the brand’s UK hotel debut, brings contagious energy and maximalism to a Victorian classic
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
The Park: step inside Jeremy King's mid-century diner
One of several 2024 openings from restauranteur, Jeremy King, food critic Ben McCormack books in at The Park
By Ben McCormack Published