Page 50 - SM_ITA_02

exploring taste – Spring/Summer 2016 places – The art of Lonodon

The Serpentine Gallery Photograph © 2007 John Offenbach

The interior of the Locanda Locatelli, where sophisticated design and fine cuisine meet
and future. Among the over two thousand artists which have exhibited work into a new form which transforms the wall into a capacious cavity. In
here, we find international heavyweights such as Man Ray and Jean-Michel the architect’s own words: “We have attempted to design a structure that LOCANDA LOCATELLI:
Basquiat, Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Marina Abramović. embodies multiple aspects that are often perceived as opposites: a structure
The Serpentine Sackler Gallery was established in 2013, giving a new lease free-form yet rigorous, modular yet sculptural, both transparent and LONDON’S GLAMOUR, TASTE OF ITALY
of life to a 1805 grade II listed building. The Sackler Gallery is a magnificent opaque, both solid box and blob. We decided to work with one of the most
integration designed by Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid, successfully bridging basic elements of architecture: the brick wall. Rather than clay bricks or
together innovation and tradition with light, voluptuous curves that interact stone blocks, however, the wall is erected from pultruded fibreglass frames Locanda Locatelli can be found at n° 8, Seymour Street, London, set within a beautifully curated venue where the interior design by David
playfully with the austere reclaimed building and its natural surroundings. stacked on top of each other.” A welcoming space worth experiencing Collins perfectly complements Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli’s cuisine. There are stripped-wooden floors and walls, dividing
Two connected spaces, therefore: The Magazine, which houses a restaurant, a first hand, one that explicitly references the other, note-worthy pavilion glass panes, concave mirrors and artwork created by Paul Simonon from the Clash and Damien Hirst: this true gem of a restaurant
th
19 Century former gunpowder store used as a military facility until 1963. The designs that preceded it: a visual summary of fifteen-years’ worth of the is unique in its kind. Giorgio and Plaxy Locatelli launched the Locanda in 2002; it didn’t take them long to earn a reputation as one of
second is a tensile structure designed by Hadid which extends out from the Serpentine’s history. The 10 of June this year will see the addition of four London’s top culinary locations. This restaurant has quickly become synonymous with fine dining of the highest order, earning its first
th
body of the old building, acting as an elegant and contemporary expansion. extra summer houses, complementing Bjarke Ingels’ pavilion, four exciting Michelin star mere months after first opening. The success of Locanda Locatelli, of course, also relies on its extra glamorous clientele.
The Sackler is a perfect example of Hadid’s aesthetic, with its frequent new spaces for visitors to explore and interact with. Four extra reasons to Celebrities love spending time here: Madonna, Robbie Williams, Johnny Depp and the Beckham family are all regular customers. This
use of tension-carrying structures, coated fibreglass membranes and pay a special visit to these two unique galleries in the heart of Kensington stylish establishment knows no peers, with its perfect blend of fine dining with art and high-end design. Locanda Locatelli is managed by
a spiralling steel frame. The Iraqi-British architect and the gallery Gardens. From June 22 young aspiring architects will get the chance to Giorgio Locatelli, hailed by many as one of the best Italian chefs in the United Kingdom. His attitude to cooking takes from the Italian
nd
have a history of collaboration that dates back to the first Serpentine design their own personal pavilion. For more information, check out the tradition, but with many an innovative twist on convention. Priority is given to the quality of fresh produce, brought to life by the chef’s
temporary pavilion, built by Hadid in 2000. Initially conceived as a one- website www.serpentinegalleries.org. creative touch: that’s how Locatelli has built a small but perfect corner of Italy here, in the heart of London. These qualities, as well as its
off project, the Serpentine went on to commission a different architect friendly and welcoming atmosphere, make the Locanda a truly special space to inhabit, for both customers and staff. Giorgio Locatelli
to create a new pavilion every year. Each structure is designed and represents a real icon of fine dining, to whom some of the conventions enforced in many of the fancy eateries of the city simply do not apply.
built over a six-month period, erected on the lawn that surrounds the “Places that don’t allow children, or that enforce a strict suit and tie dresscode feel more like churches than restaurants. How can you
exhibition space, and is open to the public throughout the summer. enjoy spending time together that way?” he said in an interview. Since then, the ‘bohemian’ revolution has changed the face of fine dining
Other Serpentine Pavilion architects include: Toyo Ito, Oscar Niemeyer, in Britain, too. Locatelli grew up in a small town called Corgeno, near Lake Maggiore, where his family still manage a Michelin-starred
Kjetil Thorsen, Frank Gehry, and Sanaa. The upcoming 2016 pavilion is the restaurant. Over the years, he has worked for many of the major restaurants in Europe, including Olivo in Eccleston Steet – as head chef –
The beautiful night view of the Serpentine Gallery,
work of Danish architect Bjarke Ingels; a reimagining of the classic, humble Kensington Gardens, among London’s most before opening his own place, Zafferano, in 1995. He has appeared on TV many times, both on the BBC and UK Food, and is the author
brick wall, released from its bi-dimensionality, ‘unzipped’ and stretched popular art venues of a number of books. His 2006 book Made in Italy won the Best Food Book Award at the 2007 Glenfiddich Food and Drink Award.

48 49