Mercato Metropolitano is a vibrant space in which everyone shares the same passion for food and social relationships. MM emphasises having a small impact on everyones well-being as a reaction to big industry which is overdeveloped and short on principles.

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The London edition is an exciting temporary intervention based on the template developed by The Mercato Metropolitano Milano in Porta Genova in Milan. MM approached us in March 2016 to help them establish their first UK based operation in a disused site in Elephant and Castle.

In order to facilitate the integration of our client’s proposals the site required rationalisation of the existing use class orders dispersed across the various existing buildings on site - there were a range of buildings and open sites from different periods including early 19th century former residences, single story shop units, post-war industrial warehouses, and office accommodation. Clark Architecture worked closely with our client’s Italian consultants in order to gain the necessary permissions required, the programme of the project from the original meeting to opening the doors of this 5000sqm site was 4 months.

The site now includes bread makers, fishmongers, butchers, coffee roasters, beer makers and pasta makers - all housed in this temporary space where food tastings, musical performances, cultural exhibitions and entertainment take place.