Lucy Tauber Architects was approached to update the existing 550 capacity Big Chill House venue in Kings Cross, to bring into keeping with their recently refurbished Bristol and Brick Lane bars. The brief also required that the premises had a better relationship with the street, and interior was inclusive and hard-wearing, suitable for all day and reflected the nature of its music and arts festival roots.
The traditional Victorian pub building had been lost: painted metal frame windows with tinted glass compromised the building’s character and made the venue dark and uninviting. The poorly lit double height main space, with made the main area feel cold and empty and suspended bar obscured the view of the back bar. Circulation within the buildings was understated and the basement, mezzanine and 1st floor rooms lacked clear identity and purpose.
A new timber shopfront improved the building’s appearance and street-facing counters with Anglepoise fittings, varied seating and the ‘Mr Messy’ ceiling created a dynamic, unexpected and inclusive main space, visually connected with the street, mezzanine and dance floor.
Lucy Tauber also introduced an Art Deco basement lounge, Mezzanine Snug area, Games Room, Dining Room to create unexpected spaces that gave real purpose to rooms, offer private hire and extend the unexpected playful festival vibe.