# Box 9 Uses Recycled Bricks for Soho Restaurant Kid London studio Box 9 transforms two Soho units into a sustainable brick-clad dining space. - **Source:** [Interior design | Dezeen](https://brifing.si/source/cb2e5f17-36d4-4880-b1ae-26168d46e00a) - **Published:** 2026-10-20 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/6b7f3a9e-6244-4d01-983c-7a8b47e97cf6 ## Unified 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. ## Sustainable 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. ## Heritage 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. ## Contrasting 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. ## Technical 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. ## Functional 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. ## Chef-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. ## Broader 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. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dezeen.com/2026/10/20/box-9-brick-soho-restaurant-kid/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._