Overends Café, Airfield

Developing the pavilion structure designed by Solearth Architecture, PKA’s design sub-divided the floor area into three distinct spaces: the elongated café and its glazed wall which overlooks the reflecting pool and wildflower garden; the farm kitchen, with its two large oak tables and view into the working kitchen; the private booths and their framed views of Airfield’s main walled gardens.

The overall objective of the design was to create a room that is a pleasure to be in, with a feeling of air and light: the timber ceiling floats above a fully glazed wall to one side, while the alcoves on the other are playfully punctuated with windows of various sizes that open onto views of the vibrantly-coloured wild-flower meadow.

PKA’s interiors scheme utilises a combination of wood worktops, zinc counters, ceramic walls, and sheeted joinery.  The bespoke furniture consists of painted benches and limed-oak tables, designed by Rachael Chidlow and made by Irish artisan furniture makers. This aesthetic is complemented by contemporary aluminium chairs made from recycled soft-drink cans.

The project won the Most Sustainable Building Category in the 2014 annual awards of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland for its joint designers – Solearth and Paul Keogh Architects.