Placed at the heart of the newly reimagined former Old War Office in London’s prestigious Whitehall, a flowing pavilion has become the perfect courtyard centrepiece. Thevenue, French culinary offerings are served in a light-filled environment surrounded by a family of curvaceous columns. ‘The concept was to imagine being inside a Georgia O’Keeffe painting, with softly-ribbed white columns developing into petals that radiate to form the entire ceiling, providing a beautiful setting for the Café Lapérouse interior, designed by Cordelia de Castellane, complemented by delicate landscaping that provides a backdrop for al fresco dining,’ says Kang. The pavilion was manufactured by Dutch firm Octatube, and created with the help of engineers Arup in London. Its afterlife was carefully considered, too. The prefabricated main body was conceived to be easily disassembled for maintenance and replacement. ‘It could even be relocated in full in the future if needed,’ says Kang.
