OPSO

OPSO is an all-day restaurant situated on the corner of Paddington Street and Nottingham Place in the London neighbourhood of Marylebone. The main ground floor space is  divided into 2 zones connected by a central spine that runs the length of the space. Beginning at the main entrance the spine is a coffee bar that casually welcomes diners and take away clients. Moving into the second zone the surface continues at the same height and becomes a high table for communal dining.

Using the length of the space in this way also maximizes the flow of natural light from the south facing windows, but for the light to penetrate each corner of the space it was important to keep the layout open. An open storage system allows waiters to work around diners efficiently and naturally. The system is a framework extending throughout the ground and lower ground floors and organises the space into zones, eliminating the need for partitions that would restrict light and circulation.

The interior combines natural materials found in old Athenian eateries, such as Kavala marble and Terrazzo flooring, oak panelling, leather upholstery and various brass accents that catch the light. Polished plaster walls are interrupted by a triptych of ceramic tiled murals by the artist Joanna Burtenshaw, and furniture is a careful combination of custom design and classic and contemporary sourced pieces.