Archer Humphryes worked on the brand identity of Busaba for a decade across London with Alan Yau. Busaba Bicester – fthe first site to be outside of London was a tremendous opportunity. . This project one multiple awards and added to the practice’s accolade of Architect of the Year award in 2011. The restaurant opened in December 2010 in the Bicester Village Retail Park. The opportunity offered in this location included a space that provided 9m high ceilings and a mezzanine floor overlooking the main dining room. The approach to detailing retained the defining aspects of the earlier Busaba restaurants. Walls are lined in stained rattan with bronze panels at low level, the bars and pantries are detailed in black slate and dark colours are retained creating a warm welcoming atmosphere.

However, the character of the unit benefits from the lining of the double height volume with dark wood and deep beams, the lanterns and fans are hung from high level and agree with the layout of the teak communal dining tables. The entrance is separated by a Thai screen through which the dining hall, dramatic staircase and public balcony can all be viewed while waiting to be seated. The external areas are also developed further. The terrace dining area is surrounded with a pool containing lilies and planted with Frangipani trees, in addition to being supplied with a retractable fabric canopy and heating for diners on chilly evenings.