LANGOSTERIA
OLD WAR OFFICE - LONDON
LONDON, UK
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
ENGINEERING
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
BUDGET & TIMING CONTROL
2026
A space in dialogue with its heritage, balancing historical memory with a contemporary design language.
From Concept to Opening
The project forms part of the broader restoration of the OWO, a six-year undertaking that has returned one of London’s landmark buildings to the city. Within this context, ThirtyOne Design acted as Project Architect, overseeing the development from the earliest design stages through to the restaurant’s opening, while coordinating the various international teams involved. The original concept was developed by architect Carlo Samarati, who shaped Langosteria’s identity for many years. Building on that vision, ThirtyOne Design transformed it into a sophisticated spatial project, managing every phase, from the initial feasibility studies to the restaurant’s opening.
Heritage Meets Italian Craftsmanship
The building’s monumental corridors, original wood panelling, decorated ceilings, historic mosaics and grand fireplaces provided the starting point for a project that sought to preserve the heritage of the interiors while introducing a contemporary design language. The project also celebrates Italian craftsmanship: Langosteria and ThirtyOne Design collaborated with some of Italy’s most respected firms in design and manufacturing. Among the defining features of the interiors are the bespoke Murano glass lighting fixtures by Venini, created exclusively for Langosteria and culminating in the spectacular chandelier that crowns the Historic Room.
A Journey Through the Interiors
The experience begins in the bar area, where travertine and Canaletto walnut come together in a striking central island. At the heart of the project lies the Historic Room, once the British War Office’s historic meeting chamber. Here, the original architecture has been carefully preserved and enhanced, while the new design elements engage in a dialogue with the building’s history through refined materials, artisanal craftsmanship and a meticulously considered colour palette. A defining feature of the project is the Messenger Wall, an architectural partition that once served as a discreet passage for confidential communications within the building and now connects the bar area to the Private Dining Room. The result is a space that does not impose itself on the existing architecture, but rather interprets and reveals its character.
