A new Family Kitchen and Shop was recently unveiled at the Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG), Kew, in London, whose design was conducted by nature-led multi-disciplinary practice Mizzi Studio.
The new restaurant aims to present a world of fantasy, featuring a colourful, interactive space educating visitors about the origins of their food.
The spirit of the Family Kitchen can be described as ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets botanical science laboratory’ according to Jonathan Mizzi, Mizzi Studio's Director.
It promotes the global research undertaken by RBG scientists and the importance of diet with an emphasis on a sustainable food culture through sensory and tactile design.
With sustainability and education at its heart, the restaurant was divided into six key learning zones: Diversity, Autumn, Science, Water, Sun and Spring.
Each of these themes were developed as critical aspects of the production, processing, and preparation of healthy food.
Most importantly to the studio, the design was conceived to take families on an exciting, nature-filled journey.
In the centre of the Family Kitchen sits a tiled pizza oven draped with bright red infinity mirror periscopes that showcase fruit and vegetables.
This is where children will learn all about how food is made, where ingredients come from, and how to recognise and name the different foods that make up their meals. A pizza topping station allows children to select their own ingredients, pushing knowledge around the process of food making front-and-centre in the experience of dining out.
Finally, families will enter a large deep magenta dining zone, furnished with an oversized Enset tree surrounded with mirrors, illuminated foliage and colourful seating.
Included in this dining zone, is a dedicated seating quiet zone in the shape of a giant apple, providing the perfect space for neurodiverse visitors to enjoy the Family Kitchen in a calm and relaxed way.
“Kew is an institution that has brought so much value to the entire world. Our goal has been to design a space that celebrates nature and learning, helping to make children and parents excited about food growth, hygiene, and preparation,” said Mr Mizzi, Director of Mizzi Studio.
“Through colour, texture, and wild nature-inspired form, we have created a space that brings families closer to the roles of the elements in nature, to seasonality, and the overall journey from plant to plate.
“As we are living in a climate crisis, Mizzi Studio believes that nothing is more important than using design to champion humanity’s role as stewards of our great and beautiful planet. Our goal is therefore to help children fall in love with nature, so that they will instinctively treasure and protect it as they grow.”
The journey’s zoning approach also follows the theme of the earth’s four seasons, with applicable colour stories and textures characterising the different sections and seating throughout the restaurant.
In the autumnal section Mizzi collaborated with artist Tom Hare who has created large-scale, hand woven willow fungi sculptures, celebrating the magical world of mushrooms, their place in the ‘wood-wide-web’, and their significant role in the mycelium networks in woodlands and forests.
Elsewhere, restaurant colours draw from the natural hues and tones of each season, functioning both as wayfinding and playful décor.
“We are very excited to have opened Kew Gardens’ new food and retail venue, the Family Kitchen & Shop. Situated next to the wonderful Children’s Garden, the restaurant is an ideal space for all the family to enjoy a meal,” commented Sandra Botterell, Director of Marketing and Commercial Enterprise, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
“We hope this space will bring to life a sense of adventure and curiosity and encourage families to appreciate the delicious choices which plants offer in our daily lives.”
Venue photos: James McDonald
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