Island Gardens Cafe
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
2023

A new cafe in an historic park at the tip of the Isle of Dogs which fronts onto the River Thames and faces the Royal Naval College, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The cafe evokes the history of maritime trade and colonialism by referencing objects from the Museum of London in the design of its screens.

The design of the cafe was developed through feasibility studies and local consultations to determine the appropriate type and scale of development. The building frame is glulam timber with large areas of glazing to maximise the view across the river. The cafe provides important facilities for the park users as well as a much needed cafe.