#HTE
Us humans are obsessed with the way we look. Obsessed. Sure, some more than others, but overall – we are all incredibly concerned about our looks (regardless of whether or not we are willing to admit it to ourselves or others), because this is the basis upon which the entire civilisation has moved forward, and how humans have procreated for centuries. All based on how we look. Does this mean I think only looks are important? Hell no. But I do think that every single one of us wants to look our best.
Perhaps it’s the spread of social media and the onset of #selfies that’s made us more aware than ever of how we look and how we present ourselves to the world. This has resulted in entire industries mobilising, shifting and upping their game in order to respond to our increased collective obsession with our appearance.
First there were solariums. Then there was activewear. Noninvasive laser procedures and the injectables. The Rise of Designer Health Studios & Gyms. And now it’s all about Grooming Spaces – Hair Salons, Beauty Parlours and Barber Shops that take the experience of grooming to the next level. So join us on this fascinating global survey of the finest examples of Designer Grooming Experiences across 30 projects in locations near and far.
Wishing you a good hair day x
See More ‘Stories on Design’ Curated by Yellowtrace.
Photography by Stefan Wülser.
Peluquería Talstrasse Zürich, Switzerland by Wülser Bechtel Architekten // Wülser Bechtel Architekten recently converted the ground floor of an ageing building into a supercool male hair groomers in Zurich. The spaces features a series of sculptural free-standing mirrors, and a striking grid cladding to the ceiling and perimeter walls. Wülser Bechtel was given just six days to transform the space into a barbershop. Talk about a tight timeline. Wowzer.
Related Post: Stories On Design // 3D Grids.
Photography by Gleb Leonov.
Nail Shop 1.0 in Moscow, Russia by Crosby Studio // This nail parlour by Crosby Studio is located in a 19th century building in the historical Kitay-Gorod district of Moscow. The space is split into two distinct zones – the first one is home to the reception and the main staircase, featuring an ultra modern aesthetic. The second zone houses the manicure hall and owners’ offices, designed to create tension and contrast with the first zone.
Photography by Ricardo Bassetti.
The Barbershop in São Paulo, Brazil by Felipe Hess // This barber in São Paulo designed by Felipe Hess simply nails it. From the simple and understated facade, through to the simplicity of planning, detailing, materials etc – it all just works. To me, if this interior could talk, this is what it would say about it’s customer – I’m a sophisticated man who gives a shit about how I look, I know what I like, and I’m particular about things, but – at the same time – I’m cool, calm and collected and I won’t spend too much time in front of the mirror (because that last part of the statement is just off if you ask me). Bloody brilliant.
Images courtesy of Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP Architects.
Lotus Beauty Salon in Kuwana City, Japan by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP // This beauty salon by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP Architects is a major knockout. The space feels open, connected and totally seamless while allowing each customer to have a private experience. There idea was to divide the interior like an ant hill using one continuous low wall that creates small niches. The wall fluctuates in height as the level of the floor changes. Throughout the salon, the wall is used for a variety of functions from waiting chairs to reception desk. The joints from wall to floor were rounded to create a space that feels ambiguous and depthless. Sublime.
Photography © Yoshiro Masuda.
Vine Hair Salon in Kobe, Japan by SIDES CORE // SIDES CORE design studio know what’s up when it comes to cooltown hair salons (they’re responsible for a number of interesting projects featured in today’s roundup). Their idea for Vine was focused on abstraction, coupled with the intention of creating a space that feels like it’s ‘gradually taking shape.’ Inspired by the idea that our social networks are comparable to the growing tendrils of creeper plants, the metaphor of vines was used as a visual element in the space: arched pipes on the ceilings recall the supporting garden structures for vine canopies, upon which the light fixtures’ cables are woven like entwining plants. Similarly, knotted and woven cords have been used for the furniture. The rough finish on the ceiling and deliberate scarce use of objects generate the feeling of an impromptu pop-up studio, a place that – just like human relationships – is constantly changing and reinventing itself.
Photography by Tomohiro Saruyama.
Vision Atelier in Japan by Takehiko Nez Architects // Japanese architect Takehiko Nez was asked to revisit the interior of Vision Atelier, a salon in a suburban area of Yamanashi Prefecture which was, back in 2003, converted by his studio into a jewellery shop.
The latest renovation features a network of black steel structures that create a framework for a series of textured glass and mirrored partitions. These divide spaces by function – hair washing, cutting and waiting – affording clients a degree of privacy, whilst allowing a sense of openness to prevail. This concept mimics the feeling of being outdoors, creating a relaxed ambience for the clients which harks back to times when haircutting was done on the porches of private houses, or by roadside hairdressers.
Images © Anarchitect.
AKIN Barber & Shop in Dubai by Anarchitect // Designed by Dubai-based architecture studio Anarchitect in collaboration with Tarik Zaharna (Tzed Architects), AKIN‘s takes a contemporary, clean-cut approach to men’s grooming combining an urban vibe with hand-crafted, tactile architecture. I love the interplay of materiality in this interior – dove grey leather, white mosaic tiles, herringbone flooring, timber framing, and marble cladding at entry create a sophisticated feel that somehow still manages to feel inclusive and inviting.
Photography by Yoshiro Masuda.
MOOL Hair by mcA in Osaka, Japan by Reiichi Ikeda // Inspired by the nearby Yodo river, the interior of MOOL Hair bends and twists within the centre of the space, creating a meandering movement that feels relaxing and gentle. Reiichi Ikeda invited Japanese artist Shiho Ueda to create the soft mural on the curved wall that felt like it was “painted with coloured light”. Heaven.
Images courtesy of Bureau de change.
Talkin’ Heads Hair Salon in Athens by bureau de change // London-based Bureau de change have approached the interior of this hair salon as a small stage set or an installation project, rather than an exercise in interior design. The exposed corner-plot of an old pharmacy in an affluent Athens shopping area inspired a re-working of the salon. Glazing on two sides made the typical wall-facing format of salon seating restrictive, so the design explored using this unimpeded view into the space in a different way. The 520 wires that hold the ‘frame landscape’ create a mist-like presence that hovers just below the ceiling. The wires gently sway in response to movement in the space and customers entering the salon. Shit hot.
Read the full article about this project & see more images here.
Images courtesy of Aoki Jun.
XEL-HA BY AFLOAT Hair Salon by Aoki Jun // This hair salon by the supremely talented Japanese architect Aoki Jun features a tricky ceiling that acts as the building facade – the salon is situated on the third floor of a commercial building, so when looking up from the street, only the ceiling is visible through the glass windows. The ceiling also acts as the luminous source for the building.
The curve forms, reminiscent of hair locks (one would assume), are made from semi-transparent white “warlon” sheets (plastic laminated washi), commonly used for lamp shades as they emit optimum diffused light. Despite the exposed light source, the plastic sheets block the direct glare into the eyes from all viewing angles. The ceiling surface is transformed into a luminous flare and bears a feeling of a gigantic cloud in the sky. Underneath the clouds, a landscape of elegant furniture and slender joinery opens up, limited to the simple colour scheme of dark brown and stainless steel. Heaven!
Photography by Caitlin Mills.
Three Blind Mice in Hawthorn by Flack Studio // This cut and dry situation by Flack Studio does a couple of things well – it creates a somewhat uncomfortable yet welcomed tension between the ornate-ness (is that a word?) of a heritage building, and the utilitarian nature of the dreaded vertical blind. OMG – so wrong, yet somehow so very right.
Images courtesy of Adriana Hanna. Photography © Dan Hocking.
Hues Hair in Richmond, Melbourne by Adriana Hanna // Ok, I’ve officially tried to slide this puppy into every singe roundup we’ve ever done, and at least I now have a legitimate excuse! Simply put, Hues Hair by Melbourne architect Adriana Hanna absolutely smashes it out of the ball park. The underlying intention of the planning was to diverge from the predictable hair salon typology which organises clients in a row facing a wall. The design concept is instead focused on creating a memorable interior, and drawing back clientele through a distinctive, allusive space. SO GOOD!
Read the full article about this project & see more images here.
Photography by Akumi Ota.
Kolmio+LIM Nail Salon by Yusuke Seki in Japan // What is it about Japan, design and retail? They just get it, don’t they? They really do. Kolmio+LIM in Osaka, Japan is an extension of the popular Less Is More (LIM) hair salon in the same area, offering basic nail and beauty services. “Kolmio” (triangle in Finnish) is interpreted by the designers as a zigzag textured screen with triangular openings, which simultaneously connects and separates the two sections of the salon.
The finishes palette of basic timber and white has been designed to reflect the essential colour of natural skin tones. In fact, the space itself is intended to symbolise the process of nail colouring. The zigzag screen and natural light refraction reference the twinkling glitter reflection of a nail polish, and the entire colour palette represents the various layers of nail colour applied one on top of another.
Read the full article about this project & see more images here.
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