Architect Shahed Saleem has designed a marine theme cafe on the Isle of Dogs in London. It replaces a 1980s brick building in Island Gardens, famous for its views of Greenwich and the Old Royal Naval College. The cafe’s façade is protected by metal shutters painted with nautical motifs that fold up during the day to let in natural light and open up at night to create a more intimate space inside.
“Island Gardens is a place steeped in colonial history and maritime spirit. To create a building that reflects that heritage was a challenging but inspiring task,” says Saleem. The café is located at the entrance to the Greenwich foot tunnel, through which 1.5 million people pass each year. The curved glass façade echoes the circular brick tunnels, while the dark green faience tiles popular in Victorian London reference the industrial past of the Docklands.
The tiles were made by Darwen Terracotta using traditional methods, while the curved glass façade was made possible by a timber structure by engineers Corbett & Tasker. “The picture windows create a connection between the café and the park, as well as providing beautiful views over Greenwich,” adds Saleem. Inside, the latticed beam ceiling is complemented by square light fittings. The walls are covered in ivory tiles with an uneven glaze that catches the light, while the floor is terrazzo in shades of green. The metal shutters are decorated with small silhouettes of shipping artefacts from the Museum of London’s collection, from anchors to steering wheels.
Island Gardens, which opened in 1895, was originally created as an oasis for dock workers. The cafe that had previously been there closed in 2021, and the new development was funded by money raised by the council from developers during the planning process.
