TAKA, London
Overcoming Architectural and Listed Building Challenges at TAKA, Marylebone
TAKA is located in London’s bustling Marylebone. It opened in 2020 to fantastic reviews, continuing to serve happy guests from all over the world. The owners approached B3 Designers to create a unique, refined interior for their chosen site. The site presented multiple design challenges. This case study presents how we solved them.
Project
Taka
Location
Marylebone, London
Cuisine
Fine dining, Japanese
Owners
Andrey and Anastasia Datsenko
The Challenges
Challenge 1:
View from the outside
The design needed to look fabulous from the outside, appealing to passers-by.
Challenge 2:
Fire-escape staircase
An existing metal fire-escape spiral staircase that could not be removed blocked the view into the restaurant, adding to challenge 1.
Challenge 3:
Dumbwaiter
The dumbwaiter needed to be disguised.
Challenge 4:
Listed building
The Georgian building came with an arched ceiling that needed to be incorporated into the design.
Challenge 5:
Design inspiration
The interior design needed to be warm, elegant, Japanese-inspired, modern, comfortable, and complementary to the food and drink being served. Most importantly, it needed to be operationally sound.
How We Designed TAKA
Materiality
In keeping with the Japanese concepts of minimalism, simplicity, and attention to detail, the dominant materials we chose for the interiors are timber, charred timber, and terrazzo. This was combined with furniture that reflects the finesse of Japanese design, with hints of Scandinavian influence – tan leather banquettes, dark floors, and veined and textured timbers. Warm, elegant, modern.
Staircase
We opened up the fire escape staircase and designed a bespoke curved screen with timber uprights to surround it. The dumbwaiter was also disguised, now accessible via two sliding doors with counterweights – beautiful Japanese teapots.
Ceiling and Wall
The existing arched ceiling has been incorporated into the clean-lines design, complemented by the striking statement wall feature – inspired by traditional Japanese umbrellas. This backlit feature casts sculpted shadows, adding interesting dimensions.
View from the Outside
Given its location in Marylebone, we needed to conceptualise TAKA to stop passers-by in their tracks, and it does just that with its strong use of contrasting dark and light timber. The terrazzo bar, elegant furniture, timber staircase enclosure – you see it all as you walk by.
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