Rockwell Group eschews 90-degree angles for Skywalker Grill at Lucas Museum

Here's a closer look inside the newly opened Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, where design studio Rockwell Group has outfitted a restaurant and bar that "responds to the museum's distinctive biomorphic architecture". Rockwell Group's Los Angeles office designed the Skywalker Grill without a single 90-degree angle, continuing the sweeping curves of the building by MAD Architects. The Skywalker Grill features no 90-degree angles to echo the Lucas Museum's biomorphic architecture The eatery also references the warm cherry wood interiors of Skywalker Ranch, a 4,700-acre filmmaker's retreat and workspace owned by Star Wars director George Lucas in Marin County, California. Overlooking the Los Angeles skyline, the fifth-floor restaurant and bar is named after the sci-fi media franchise's principal character. It is open to both museum visitors and the general public for lunch and dinner. Entry to the fifth-floor space is via a corridor wrapped with cherry wood panels "Responding to the museum's distinctive biomorphic architecture, the restaurant features no 90-degree angles," said the Skywalker Grill team. "Curved walls are wrapped in individually crafted cherry wood panels, with no two panels alike, while finger-raked cherrywood columns echo the tambour banquettes lining the perimeter of the room." Shimmering tiles cover the front of the snaking bar, while the back bar is clad in illuminated Corian Guests arrive via elevator to a corridor that leads to the host stand, lined on one side with cherry panelling that folds up and over the ceiling. Booths are formed with swooping partitions that organically rise and fall in height, and curve to create intimate pockets for conversation. The cherry used throughout the restaurant is a nod to the wood found at George Lucas's Skywalker Ranch in Marin County A central island is ringed by a green crushed velvet banquette that matches the booth upholstery, and surrounded by circular tables and freestanding dining chairs in soft grey. Tamboured cherry-wrapped columns rise at slight angles and branch like tree trunks to meet the ceiling, which opens in the middle to reveal a beige plaster surface illuminated by cove lighting. A large ovoid window opens onto a terrace with panoramic views The snaking, glossy white bar counter is fronted by shimmering fluted tiles covered in crystal silver leaf, while illuminated Corian forms the back bar. A large ovoid window features operable glass panels that provide access to the outdoor terrace, where further seating enjoys views over the University of Southern California campus towards Downtown LA. "The design incorporates elements of cinematic storytelling, including framing, light, scale and atmosphere, while pairing high-tech materials with handcrafted details," said the team. The restaurant's American-style menu features California-grown ingredients, including Wagyu beef and honey ricotta sourced from Skywalker Ranch. Curved, undulating partitions form intimate dining booths Set in a 13-acre landscaped site near Los Angeles' Exposition Park, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to storytelling and features a variety of galleries, theatres and educational spaces. MAD and Stantec wrapped the building in over 1,200 curved panels, creating an extraterrestrial form that wouldn't look out of place in one of Lucas's beloved movies. The terrace enjoys panoramic views over Los Angeles Rockwell Group is known for its theatrical hospitality projects that immerse diners in atmospheric spaces. Other recent examples include an art deco-influenced Manhattan steakhouse, a revolving restaurant above Times Square and a "cathedral of fried chicken". The photography is by Tom McGovern. Subscribe to our newsletters Your email address New! Dezeen Agenda US Sent on alternate Fridays, this US edition of Dezeen Agenda is a fortnightly newsletter rounding up everything you need to know from America, featuring news, projects and interviews with industry figures. Plus occasional updates and invitations to Dezeen events. New! Dezeen Showroom New Releases A quarterly newsletter rounding up a selection of recently launched products by designers and studios, published on Dezeen Showroom. Dezeen Debate Our most popular newsletter, formerly known as Dezeen Weekly, is sent every Tuesday and features a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen’s services and breaking news. 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