Box 9 Uses Recycled Bricks for Soho Restaurant Kid
London studio Box 9 transforms two Soho units into a sustainable brick-clad dining space.
1Unified Soho Dining Space
Box 9 combined two separate units in central Soho to create Kid, a modern Turkish mangal grill restaurant. The 3,300-square-foot site occupies a corner location, merging contrasting elevations from Frith Street and Bateman Street. This architectural integration allows for a cohesive design approach that bridges Victorian history with contemporary restaurant aesthetics.
2Sustainable Material Choice
The interior features K-Briq, a sustainable material from Kenoteq composed of at least 90 percent recycled construction waste. This choice avoids traditional firing processes, resulting in carbon emissions that are just one-tenth of standard brick production. The material covers surfaces ranging from the central grill to the intimate wine room.
3Heritage and Culinary Context
The design draws inspiration from chef Sertaç Dirik’s Turkish heritage and his family’s background in the Mangal II restaurant. By utilizing brick, the studio references the traditional hearths and fireplaces central to Turkish cooking. This material choice connects the restaurant’s functional fire-based cooking methods to the historical merchant-trading legacy of Soho.
4Contrasting Interior Aesthetics
Box 9 implemented distinct design languages for the two original units. The Frith Street side maintains a traditional Victorian feel, while the Bateman Street side offers a more contemporary atmosphere. These subtle variations ensure the space feels both historically grounded and modern, catering to the diverse architectural character of the corner building.
5Technical Brick Application
The studio employed specific masonry techniques to differentiate the zones. On the Frith Street side, they used a traditional bond and joint. Conversely, the Bateman Street side features a soldier bond with a raked joint. These varied installation methods highlight the versatility of the recycled bricks across different interior architectural styles.
6Functional Spatial Layout
The restaurant includes a dedicated wine room seating 14 guests, fully constructed from brick. Downstairs, an open bakery doubles as an events space, featuring bespoke tables by Jan Hendzel Studio. These tables are modular, allowing the staff to reconfigure the room for various functions, maximizing the utility of the 307-square-metre footprint.
7Chef-Centric Design Philosophy
The project aimed to reflect the personality and training of Sertaç Dirik, whose expertise lies in cooking with fire. Box 9 focused on using raw, humble materials rather than decorative finishes to align with the chef's background. This approach ensures the physical environment supports the specific culinary identity of the restaurant.
8Broader London Market Context
Kid joins a series of recent high-profile restaurant openings in London, such as the French-inspired Cassette and various pizzeria projects. These developments often prioritize adaptive reuse of existing structures, whether in Grade II-listed workshops or corner units. The trend emphasizes unique, site-specific narratives that blend historical preservation with modern culinary branding.
Original article: Interior design | Dezeen — Box 9 Uses Recycled Bricks for Soho Restaurant Kid