Crystal Palace Park Cafe by Chris Dyson Architects will be presented at the AT Awards live finals on 17 September 2025. Learn more about the project below.

Completed
2017

The Crystal Palace Park Café, designed by Chris Dyson Architects and completed in 2017, replaced a deteriorating 1960s structure as part of a wider regeneration of the park. The two-storey timber and steel-framed building contains a 60-cover café with an outdoor terrace, public toilets, and a lakeside-facing kiosk at ground level. Above, a flexible community space accommodates up to 60 people and extends into a covered terrace overlooking the lake. The building is positioned along the park’s central axis to improve access and visibility, and its cedar shingle cladding references the nearby Grade I-listed dinosaur sculptures.

Key challenges included meeting a limited £1.4m budget under a design-and-build contract, responding to level changes of four metres across the site, and addressing fireproofing and security concerns within a 24-hour public park. The initial all-timber structure was revised to a steel frame to meet cost and buildability requirements, allowing construction during winter without a temporary roof. A raised bridge provides level access to the upper terrace, while the chimney offers a clear visual marker for orientation. Extensive community engagement ensured local support and informed design decisions.

The café has been designed for flexibility and long-term adaptability. Its structural system allows for future disassembly or material reuse, while open-plan interiors accommodate various uses—from day-to-day café operations to fitness classes, weddings, and community events. The building’s role extends beyond that of a standalone amenity, activating the southern corner of the park and enabling wider public programming along the adjacent tree-lined avenue.

Sustainability considerations were embedded throughout, including the use of renewable cedar shingles and recyclable materials, natural ventilation, and insulation exceeding baseline energy performance. Since opening, the café has increased annual park visitor numbers and significantly outperformed the previous facility in both revenue and employment. A portion of café income supports the upkeep of the park’s heritage features, reinforcing the building’s value as part of a broader environmental and cultural strategy.

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