The Preacher's Son

Project Details

Project Description

FROM THE ARCHITECTS:

The Preacher’s Son restaurant and The Undercroft bar are located within a 1904 Gothic Revival style church. Our team was paired with a branding and concept design firm during a structural restoration to bring the space to completion. The concept was informed by John Ruskin’s book the Seven Lamps of Architecture, the chef’s story (who happens to be a preacher’s son), the amazing new and existing structural features, and is complemented with an art glass installation by George Dombek.

The plan is organized with custom benches at the center of the space, allowing anchoring elements along the perimeter. Wood tones and upholstery colors create an earthly palette and texture, grounding the space from waist height and below. Everything above bar height was made intentionally light and airy. The original red brick and plaster was painted a soft white offering a monolithic background which highlights the art glass and structural king’s post. Jewel tones in the art glass dance on the quiet walls through the day. A gold wash was applied to the former apse, creating a soft champagne glow. Below 8”, the original brick is left exposed and continues into the basement, revealing the foundation of the church. A finishing touch is an art installation by the design team, where a grid of 288 tiny bells is suspended in the bell tower, which ironically never had a bell installed. These moments within space combine to tell a hidden story beyond the architecture.

Rooted below the sanctuary is the Undercroft, where the naming and design concept was developed to carry the weight of the church above, with exposed structural beams accentuates the space. It is intentionally dark, moody, and tucked away, accessed discretely from the ‘coat room’. All materials were selected to be weighty, substantial, and a little cool to the touch – tactilely evident in elements such as the bar top of steel. Seven steel vitrine cases lined with brass are one of the few pops of light in the space and are used as liquor displays. Custom designed furniture and banquettes are purposefully heavy, over scaled, and carry visual weight. The Undercroft is a surprise and in total contrast to the light airy sanctuary above.