top of page
SMALL AXE DINER
CLIENT : Howard Hanna - Manaia Collective
PROJECT TYPE: Hospitality / Restaurant / Bar / Renovation
LOCATION: Kansas City, Missouri - Crossroads
DESCRIPTION:
Located at the corner of 20th and Main, the design of Small Axe Diner is bright and open, just as the experience aims to be. The space was created to be approachable and comforting, just as an old diner would be... but with a modern flair. At Small Axe, anyone and everyone is welcome and the design aims to reflect that.
The diner is one of two restaurant concepts from Howard Hanna of Manaia Hospitality. One of the key features of both restaurants will be a worker owned cooperative, where employees have the option to share ownership in the business, and participate in the daily business decisions. After years working in the hospitality industry, Chef Howard wanted to do things differently.“Our vision is to have a group of empowered people work together towards a goal of sustainability.”
Role / Responsibilities:
Lead Interior Designer
Furniture Specification
Custom Furniture Design
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Located at 20th and Main, Small Axe Diner is one of two local tenants in a larger, out-of-state designed, multi-family project (City Club Apartments). The diner is located at the SW corner of the street, allowing for plenty of daylight and visibility from the adjacent intersection. The diner shares a kitchen and other back-of-house spaces with its sister restaurant - AFI Natural Wine Bar.
CONCEPT & DISCOVERY
As part of the design process, the client chose to opt-in for a "discovery phase". During this preliminary phase, workshops were hosted with the client to gather information and inspirations. This allowed for a better understanding of design direction and endless opportunities for inspiration. The final document that was shared with the client is shown below.
If you are the big tree, we are the small axe.
Sharpened to cut you down. Ready to cut you down .
- BOB MARLEY, SMALL AXE
"
"
The name "Small Axe Diner" originates from the Bob Marley song, "Small Axe". The chorus lyrics (shown above) draw parallels with the story of the diner: A local, chef-owned restaurant located in a large developer-led project with the aims of flipping the model of how a restaurant can be owned and operated.
Concept - Look & Feel
Concept - Color Palettes
Diner - Finish Palette
Concept - Look & Feel
1/4
Shown below are a series of images, renderings, and drawings that were used during the design process.
EXECUTION
bottom of page