London-based architecture studio Unknown Works has completed an ambitious renovation project, transforming a historic warehouse in Borough Market into Salt Salon, a futuristic hair salon that doubles as a cultural venue and listening space. The project represents a bold reimagining of traditional salon design, incorporating recycled materials and innovative acoustic technology to create what the designers describe as a "bold yet refined salon" that serves as a dynamic cultural hub.
Located in a former storehouse in London's bustling Borough Market area, the three-story salon was conceived as a peaceful retreat from the busy streets below. Unknown Works director Ben Hayes explained the studio's vision: "We set out to create a bold yet refined salon that doubles as a dynamic cultural hub. Sound became our primary tool for spatial transformation, expanding how diverse audiences engage with the space whilst making it more accessible and deeply rooted in Salt Salon's community."
The design philosophy centered on both practical functionality and social interaction, with each of the three floors serving distinct purposes while maintaining visual and acoustic connections. "The design encourages people to move fluidly between these different atmospheres, transitioning between intimate treatments, cultural programming and sonic experiences," Hayes continued. Much of the building's original architectural structure was preserved, and the studio prioritized the use of recycled materials throughout the project.
The centerpiece of the salon is a striking custom-made sound wall located on the first floor, developed in collaboration with hi-fi startup Friendly Pressure. This innovative installation was constructed entirely from salvaged galvanized steel and shelving units repurposed from the Victoria & Albert Museum's Blythe House storage facility. The collaboration with cultural institutions reflects Unknown Works' broader approach to sustainable design and material reuse.
"We work with many cultural institutions and have previously worked with The Science Museum on the new Energy Revolution Gallery," Hayes explained. "During that project, we began salvaging materials from the Blythe House archive facility – which serves both The Science Museum and the V&A – and experimenting with robotic forming. This research and development enabled us to repurpose galvanized steel for the sound wall and furniture. Using these reclaimed materials gave us durable, high-quality components with a story that ties the project to a wider cultural network."
Each floor of Salt Salon has been designed with a distinct character and function, connected through carefully planned openings that create vertical sight lines while maintaining individual atmospheres. The first floor, aptly named "The Listening Floor," houses the reception area and several hairdressing stations, but can transform into an events venue and bar. The custom sound wall dominates this space, serving both aesthetic and functional purposes as part of the salon's acoustic design strategy.
The second floor, designated "The Cutting Floor," features additional hairdressing stations and continues the metallic design theme with mirrors crafted from polished steel. A strategic opening in the floor creates a physical and visual connection with The Listening Floor below, allowing sound and light to flow between spaces while maintaining the distinct character of each area.
The third floor, called "The Colour Floor," provides a more serene environment for clients receiving longer treatments such as hair coloring. While this space also incorporates extensive metalwork, the designers have planned for the floor to gradually become stained with hair dye over time, creating a living record of the salon's daily operations and adding an element of organic change to the industrial aesthetic.
Working with metal presented significant acoustic challenges that Unknown Works addressed through careful architectural planning and material selection. "Metal was central for durability, but we managed its acoustic challenges carefully: the building's angled plan and non-parallel walls reduce echoes, and foam-based modular furniture softens sound reflections," Hayes noted. "The exposed timber ceiling also helps scatter sound naturally."
Unknown Works designed all integrated elements of the salon, including custom modular furniture, bar units, and wall lighting fixtures. The studio's research into incremental sheet forming of metals enabled them to create unique joinery and custom loudspeakers in partnership with Friendly Pressure. "Our studio's research and development into incremental sheet forming of metals opened new formal possibilities that traditional metalwork couldn't achieve for the joinery and the custom loudspeakers in collaboration with Friendly Pressure," Hayes explained. "The recycled steel was reshaped to create the sound wall, achieving material sovereignty from salvage to installation."
Salt Salon in Borough Market represents the brand's second London location, following their established space in Dalston. Founder John Paul Scott expressed satisfaction with how the new venue fulfills his vision of challenging conventional salon design. "It needed to have an energy that surprised people, that almost challenged their expectations of what a hairdressing space can be," Scott told design media. "Unknown Works understood that immediately, and the result is something closer to a contemporary venue than a salon – a place that feels alive and distinctively Salt."
The project reflects broader trends in commercial design where traditional business models are expanding to incorporate cultural and social functions. By creating a space that serves simultaneously as a hair salon, event venue, and listening room, Unknown Works has demonstrated how adaptive design can maximize the potential of urban real estate while creating new community gathering spaces. The documentation of the completed project was captured by photographer Henry Woide.
