Case Studies
Duke of York Restaurant
This striking project by the Cadogan Estate is the final element in the redevelopment of Duke of York Square, which adjoins Sloane Square and King’s Road.
The Location
The award-winning circular building was designed by Nex- Architecture, with an ambitiously sculptural form defined by a spiralling concrete wall. The finished building is occupied by Vardo, a stylish new restaurant space for the Caravan Restaurant group. It makes a thoughtful modern addition to the historic area, simultaneously giving the square a contemporary character and focal point.
The building design also includes a public roof garden, creating a peaceful environment raised from the bustle of the busy square amongst generous herbal planting and the canopies of surrounding trees and overlooking the ‘running track’ famed as Roger Banister’s training ground for the four-minute mile.
The Requirement
The restaurant is dedicated to sustainability and features bespoke curved retractable glazing, allowing the ground floor space to merge with the surrounding square in fine weather. This enables natural ventilation throughout the year. The glazing is the first example of a curved retractable glass system in the world – the pioneering technology enables it to completely disappear into the ground, sliding down into a basement trench.
Waverley were employed by contractors Westgreen to supply and install curtain track to the restaurant.
The Challenge
The curtain track needed to be a sophisticated system, motorised but also with the ability to be curved to fit the perimeter of the space.
The Solution
Waverley supplied and installed Silent Gliss System 5600 Track which is the most silent electrically operated curtain track on the market. The high performance motor offers a fast curtain movement of 21cm per second, with an option to reduce speed to 15cm per second, and can be operated by a wireless wall switch or remote control handset.
One of the highlights of the track design is that it is adaptive, with a Touch and Go system. This means that, when the curtains are pulled by hand, the track mechanism takes over and operates the curtains automatically. In the event of any power failure, the curtains will run smoothly by hand without any alteration. A smart choice for a smart restaurant in a prime location.
Awards
Winner: Best Leisure project – Architects Journal Architecture Awards 2021.
Winner: New London Architecture Award 2017 in Hotels & Hospitality category.
Winner: Best Leisure Architecture London 2020 in UK Property Awards for Architecture.
Shortlist: RIBA London Awards 2020, Dezeen Awards 2020.
Highly Commended: ‘Architecture for Tomorrow ‘Award by The Architects’ Journal.
What They Say
“Dedicated to sustainability, this is one of the greenest restaurant buildings in London” – Nex- Architecture
“It is elegant and well-mannered but also modern” – AJ Judges