Smoke, Knutsford

Smoke, Knutsford

UNA have recently completed a second venue for suburban specialist Smoke, in the picturesque and thriving town of Knutsford. Building on the language of the original site in Wilmslow, completed in 2018, the new project sees Smoke's popular 'dark sparkle' atmospheres brought to Princess street in Knutsford.

The focal point of the design was the ambition to create a full extended bar counter out of large format and heavily textured ‘live edge' timbers Working with chainsaw and wood sculptor Andy Burgess, UNA sourced an entire felled London Plane tree - cut into 80mm sections. These 'waney' edge bar top sections were given additional support via CNC cut timber fins. Japanese 'Shou Sugi Ban' charred Accoya panels formed the dark section of the bar front. Elsewhere, and on the other half of the handsome double fronted unit, sits a new dining area and kitchen pass, featuring dark green marble - specifically 'Verde Guatemala'. The intense serpentine green with white veining adds a sense of luxury and forest green to the aesthetic.

 The taller spaces at the front of the venue link to a rear courtyard and 'garden room' via a series of quirky smaller spaces creating a variety of cosy corners and workspaces suitable for Smoke's '24/7' use pattern - breakfast till late.

 UNA provided a full interior design and architectural service to the project. The practice states that the 'difficult second album' situation is avoided through hard work from all involved a genuinely pushing the language beyond that of the first venue to update and stay relevant to the new setting.

Photography: Simon Pantling