UK studio DaeWha Kang Design has completed a striking circular pavilion for The OWO, the luxury hotel complex housed within London’s former Old War Office. Featuring a crafted glass façade and mirror-finished stainless-steel roof panels, the structure introduces a modern sculptural presence while respecting the site’s rich architectural heritage.
A Historic Setting Reimagined
Positioned in front of the Grade II* 1906 Old War Office building designed by William Young, the pavilion occupies a site steeped in British military and civic history. The area previously formed part of the Palace of Whitehall, adding further significance to the intervention. DaeWha Kang Design sought to achieve a sensitive balance—enhancing the historic backdrop without competing with its monumental stone façades.
Operational Details: Architecture, Design and Materials
The prefabricated circular pavilion houses a bar and dining area for the Parisian restaurant Café Lapérouse. Its defining elements include:
- A mirrored stainless-steel roof, produced using a low-energy liquid-pressing technique by Fielitz in Germany
- A glass façade that softens the historic surroundings with contemporary fluidity
- A central sculptural skylight, shaped like a floral bloom
- Ribbed white columns, checkerboard tables and patterned carpets designed by Dior Maison creative director Cordelia de Castellane
The pavilion was conceived to evoke the feeling of “being inside a Georgia O’Keeffe painting,” blending artistic expressiveness with architectural precision.
Designed according to circular design principles, the pavilion can be dismantled, transported and reassembled, with components engineered for reuse or recycling.
Economic and Social Impact: A Revitalised Courtyard
The pavilion enhances The OWO’s public-facing identity by transforming the courtyard into a welcoming hospitality hub. Its reflective materials add visual dynamism, attracting visitors and complementing London’s growing luxury destination market.
A five-metre sculptural fountain, also by DaeWha Kang Design, anchors the courtyard and mirrors the rippled textures of the pavilion roof. The interplay of reflective metal, water and light contributes to a distinct urban placemaking experience.
Historic cobblestones—once walked on by Winston Churchill—were documented, preserved and relaid in a new floral arrangement, maintaining heritage value while refreshing the landscape.
Strategic Significance: Heritage Meets Contemporary Craft
The pavilion demonstrates how contemporary architecture can respectfully coexist with iconic historic landmarks. Through a combination of craftsmanship, material innovation and reversible construction, DaeWha Kang Design reinforces the importance of adaptive urban interventions within heritage contexts.
It also highlights London’s evolving architectural dialogue—embracing bold design while honouring tradition—bolstering The OWO as a cultural and commercial destination.
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