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. Instead, the design explored using this unimpeded view into the space in a different way. The 50sqm floorplan is split between the main cutting floor (the stage) and a mezzanine space (back of house). The layout adopts a trio of inward-facing seats each paired with a large ceiling-hung mirror.

From the ceiling hang 130 individual picture frames fabricated from dark timber profiles – mouldings, architrave, cornicing and skirting. Appearing as though randomly placed, the frames are carefully hung from 1mm thick steel wires, each tilted to form a suspended landscape. The frames spread from all four corners of the salon, before appearing to swoop downwards to meet the three customer mirrors. Whilst many are left empty, some are filled with mirrors and angled to provide that all-important ‘back of head’ view.

Simple lighting above the installation enables the frames to cast dramatic silhouettes on the space beneath. These silhouettes change and distort depending on the time of day and direction of the sun across the salon. Above the clients, three spotlights direct focus back on to the hair cutting experience and provide a flood of light over the hair crown of the customer, drawing them into the theatrical feel whilst in practical terms improving visibility for the stylist.

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.