Salt Salon

With Salt Salon, in London’s historic Borough market, Unknown Works have transformed a Victorian storehouse into a state-of-the-art salon and a highly crafted listening environment. Each of the three levels in the listed brick building has a distinct hairdressing function, spatial and acoustic identity.

A programmable soundsystem is embedded in the bespoke interior, allowing unique sonic salon environments – ambient mornings, textured afternoons and immersive evening sessions.

On the first floor, the 'Listening Room' contains cutting stations and a reception area. The Listening Room doubles as a venue for performances and deep listening; it is designed to transition into event mode easily. A central gathering space is defined by large-scale, galvanised steel loudspeakers which were made by roboforming – a low-energy digital fabrication technology.

The bespoke joinery and roboforming was designed by Unknown Works, using salvaged shelving material from the Science Museum’s storage facility.

The second floor, an open-plan 'Cutting Floor’, utilises a continuous mirror formed from stainless steel sheet, with graded finish for privacy.

Suspended above, stainless steel Friendly Pressure Pickney loudspeakers anchor the room visually and sonically. The rear of the floor accommodates a staff room, kitchen and social space, screened acoustically from the main salon with silicone screens.

The 'Colour Floor' on the top level features a sculptural mirror suspended from the original timber rafters. Crafted from ultra-bright stainless steel, it acts as both a reflective surface and a diffuser. Mirrors throughout are polished to reflect but also refract, softening visual boundaries between guests.

Sound is embedded in every detail. Bespoke modular chairs made from recycled foam absorb low-frequency sound. Floor-to-ceiling silicone panels dampen reflections and optimise clarity. The architecture supports acoustic nuance, shaping the room as an instrument in itself. The space explores how high-fidelity sound, spatial acoustics and sculptural architecture can enhance daily rituals and social interaction.