Wahaca Bluewater Receives Highly Commended at NAS Design Partnership Awards

du Boulay Contracts with Designers Softroom Architects, are delighted to have received a Highly Commended for the NAS Design Partnership Award for the design and build of the Wahaca restaurant at Bluewater, Kent.

THE NAS DESIGN PARTNERSHIP AWARD is a premier award which recognises excellence in interior design and shopfitting contracting with emphasis on the strong partnership between designer/architect and contractor that shopfitting demands.

The Judges, representing interior designers, architects and contractors, look for suitability of the design for its location, purpose and overall budget; strength of partnership between interior designer/architect and shopfitter; choice of materials; creativity and originality in interpreting the design brief and overcoming site conditions; design features of functional or decorative relevance; quality of fit-out and project management.

du Boulay and Softroom had worked together previously and so the respective teams were able to handle the innovative design for this mould breaking restaurant from the outset. Joinery, metalwork and materials suppliers worked very closely to interpret the designs and get the detailing resolved all within a very short lead time and a tight 10 week fit-out period.

The Judges’ comments were “This project warrants a particular mention. We thought that it was a great, creative, low cost scheme that addressed dining, art, material recycling and fun in a a way that just simply puts a smile on your face. The quirky and happy scheme is well thought out, contemporary and dynamic and will appeal to all ages. It also has personality and feels instantly comfortable and accommodating but again the space is also creatively thought provoking.”

We are delighted to be associated with this award. du Boulay were able to overcome a complex design brief involving specialist finishes and contractors, coupled with site constraints and a tight programme on the Bluewater project. We look forward to a continued working relationship and the successful delivery of future projects.

– Hugh Ennis, Architect, Softroom Architects