The Knack: A Cape Cod Favorite
Known for being a popular burger spot in Orleans, MA, the owners of The Knack decided it was time to expand farther down Cape Cod in 2021. By purchasing the once 43 season-long Cape staple Cooke's Seafood, The Knack owners secured the perfect spot for their new restaurant. With a location and vision, Cape Associates, bArchitecture Studio, Weena & Spook Interiors, and The Knack came together to create one of the hottest spots in town for the 2022 summer season.
After developing a relationship with Cape Associates, the builder responsible for major renovations at the Orleans Knack restaurant, the owners of The Knack wanted to use the same builder to construct their new Hyannis branch to replicate their brand standard and aesthetic. The project consisted of a complete gut and remodel of an existing restaurant space, with a total area of 3,550 square feet on the first floor and 3,000 square feet of basement space.
Materials, textures, colors, and signage selected emulate the brand of the restaurant chain. Shades of orange roll through the interior separating The Knack from any local restaurant and maintaining the chain's signature look. The interior finish resembles the exterior façade with corrugated galvanized metal panels and wood boards, tying the building's inside and outside together cohesively. Vaulted wood ceilings, faux beams and rafters, and exposed spiral ductwork add character and a detail oriented industrial design in the dining areas. Polishing and staining the existing concrete floor in the main dining and order/pickup areas made the floors look new while cutting back on the major cost of a complete floor replacement. Additionally, low maintenance epoxy floor covering was used in the kitchen area for easy clean up. Large windows throughout the entire space bring in natural light and showcase the exterior landscaping, which creates a beachy Cape Cod setting with sand beds, beach grasses, indigenous shrubs, and areas of seashell beds.
Aside from the appearance, decisions were made to support the restaurant's safety and integrity and enhance the dining experience. All new mechanical, fire protection, and electrical systems were put in place, and structural improvements were made to meet current codes. A spray-on acoustical product was applied above the faux rafters to mitigate the effects of back of house and dining room noise. Navigable handicap accessible restrooms allow diners of all abilities to enjoy The Knack. Space is maximized by utilizing the large basement as a prep area and break space for employees, complete with another set of restrooms for employee use downstairs. Finally, energy efficient solar panels were placed on the roof to lower the busy restaurant's carbon footprint.
In years past, when Cape locals see that trademark orange K in Orleans, they know they're heading to The Knack. Now, locals and tourists alike don't have to travel as far down the Cape before they see that K. The ambience, building structure, and food makes The Knack stand out as the place to go in Hyannis.
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Project Manager, Rich Bryant
Architect, bArchitecture Studio
Design Firm, Weena & Spook Interiors
