Following a successful collaboration in their hometown of Brighton, we were approached again by the ethically-sourced chicken restaurant H.en to design their second restaurant for a six month residency in Islington, London. H.en prides itself on being virtually waste free – offering its customers a ‘beak to feet’ menu – and this sustainable ethos was translated in the design of the restaurant.

Located on Upper Street – North London’s undisputed Mecca of gastronomy – we knew the restaurant’s design had to work hard to compete.

Our response was to adorn the front of the restaurant with a bright, chick-yellow egg supergraphic that arches over the front door and pops out against the deep green of the exterior walls. Islington is also a hub of creative talent and we commissioned local illustrator Thom Mountford to produce a graphic installation across the back wall of the restaurant. With chicken-related iconography, the bold and whimsical piece greets H.en’s customers with a smile as they enter the restaurant as well as inviting the attention of passers-by looking for a spot to eat.

Inside​ ​the​ ​interior​ ​design​ ​combines​ ​several​ ​juxtaposing​ ​aesthetics​ ​that​ ​come​ ​together​ ​to create​ ​a​ ​playful,​ ​relaxed​ ​and​ ​authentic​ ​atmosphere.​ ​We​ ​used​ ​pastel​ ​colours​ ​throughout​ ​to accentuate​ ​the​ ​generous​ ​light​ ​that​ ​floods​ ​inside​ ​through​ ​the​ ​building’s​ ​beautiful​ ​floor​ ​to​ ​ceiling arched​ ​windows, ​whilst​ ​salvaged corrugated iron​ ​cladding​ ​gives​ ​a​ ​nod​ ​to​ ​the​ ​hen​ ​house.

We​ ​were​ ​able​ ​to​ ​reuse​ ​70%​ ​of​ ​the​ ​premise’s​ ​existing​ ​furniture​ ​by​ ​freshening​ ​up​ ​chairs​ ​and tables​ ​with​ ​a​ ​lick​ ​of​ ​white​ ​paint.​ ​The​ ​cushions​ ​of​ ​the​ ​plywood​ ​booths​ ​are​ ​made​ ​of​ ​recycled chip​ ​foam​ ​and​ ​upside​ ​down​ ​baskets​ ​were​ ​repurposed​ ​as​ ​lampshades​ ​adding​ ​texture​ ​and supporting​ ​H.en’s​ ​sustainable​ ​credentials.

​Drawing​ ​on​ ​Amy’s​ ​textile​ ​background​ ​we​ ​created​ ​a screen​ ​of​ ​woven​ ​rope​ ​–​ ​essentially​ ​a​ ​loom​ ​–​ ​enhancing​ ​the​ ​dining​ ​experience​ ​by​ ​creating more​ ​intimate​ ​areas​ ​for​ ​customers​ ​to​ ​eat​ ​together.

Working​ ​closely​ ​with​ ​the​ ​client,​ ​we​ ​created​ ​a​ ​fun​ ​and​ ​social​ ​dining​ ​experience​ ​for​ ​H.en’s​ ​many customers.​ ​The​ ​project​ ​was​ ​a​ ​great​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​think​ ​carefully​ ​about​ ​recycling​ ​materials and​ ​come​ ​up​ ​with​ ​innovative​ ​ways​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​the​ ​company’s​ ​friendly​ ​personality​ ​and​ ​passion​ ​for ethically​ ​sourced​ ​produce​ ​to​ ​London.

Working closely with Ardour from start to finish was an absolute pleasure. They approached the project with such vigour and attention to detail, and shared our passion for the project.
Mr P. ILIC