Stories On Design // Grooming Spaces.

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.

Images courtesy of Archiproba Studios. Photography by Alexei Kalabin.

Krygina Studio in Moscow, Russia by Archiproba // Designed by Moscow practice Archiproba, Krygina is a salon located on the ground floor of a heritage-listed 18th century apartment. The concept was to create a theatrical allusions in the space, where each room delivers a unique character and atmosphere. The monochrome interior intentionally opposes contrasting textures, such as the rough coating of the ceiling, large surfaces of black glossy tiles, flowing velvet draperies, cutting-edge neon elements of glossy metal and so on.

Read the full article about this project & see more images here.

Photography by Peter Krasilnikoff.

BLOW Copenhagen Hair Salon by STUDIO David Thulstrup // What a beautiful little gem! This exclusive hair salon in Copenhagen opened in 2013. It was designed by the clever people at STUDIO David Thulstrup. At just 38sqm, the salon packs a punch with a clever selection of materials, simplicity of form and beautiful detailing. The attention revolves around two large freestanding mirrors with attached light bulbs that form a perfect circle.

Read the full article about this project & see more images here.

Hair Salon in Tokyo’s Ginza by Aoki Jun // Completed in 2013, the brief for this salon called for a ‘stage’ where each client becomes a ‘leading role’, while also being able to enjoy the ‘performance’ of their stylist as a spectator. The space is divided with a series of frames that create a mini ‘stage’ in the salon. Each frame is lit with Hollywood-style dressing room lights, featuring open ends that allow views through. The zig-zagged nature of the frame layout creates an overlap between the mini ‘stages’, allowing each client to view not only themselves and their stylist, but also become a spectator and an audience member while maintaing their own leading role. Tripped out madness if you ask me!

Photography by Stirling Elmendorf.

Link Beauty Salon in Osaka by Yasunari Tsukada // The designers at Yasunari Tsukada came up with a three-dimensional lattice system that resembles parts of a jungle gym in this beauty salon in Osaka. The timber-framed lattice forms the stations, as well as a display system for the interior. Each stylist can attach hooks, lighting, glass panels etc, in order to make the stations function to suit their individual needs. Sounds cool in principle, but in reality – is this all going to end up looking super gross and messy? Perhaps I’m just too OCD for this concept.

Photography by Yoshiro Masuda.

Re-edit Hair Salon by SIDES CORE // The name RE-EDIT suggest the editing of something that already exists in order to bring out and preserve it’s inherent value. “In order to make it possible for the owner to freely edit the layout, we hung the mirrors and shelves from a ceiling grid with hooks and ropes rather than attaching them to walls,” share the designers at SIDES CORE.

Photography by Jin Weiqi.

Lily Nails Salon in Beijing, China by Archstudio // In transforming an unassuming 60sqm shop into a spectacular new salon for a Chinese manicure chain, Beijing-based Arch Studio gave the shop’s rectilinear layout a gentle curve by inscribing a helix inside it, creating a sense of being drawn within. The designers used white perforated steel to form the curved walls, with raw concrete finish forming the backdrop. The section of the floor sitting under the helix is finished in a highly reflective gloss white finish, creating a heightened sense of drama. Ka-pau!

Photography by Yoshiro Masuda.

Iro Hair Salon in Osaka by Reiichi Ikeda // Humble materials considered beautifully, intricate patterns on the shopfront, pristine joinery pieces that double up as room dividers – these are just some of the reasons I was instantly drawn to the IRO hair salon in Osaka, Japan. Designed by Reiichi Ikeda in collaboration with graphic designer Yuma Harada of UMA/design farm, this deceivingly simple and elegant interior is the epitome of Japanese design – where everything is perfectly balanced, restrained, elegant, honest and “just so”. Never ostentations or over the top.

Read the full article about this project & see more images here.

Photography by Matteo Rossi.

Les Dada East in Paris by Joshua Florquin Architects // This Parisian salon, designed by the local architect Joshua Florquin, features sheets of plywood layered on top of each other to create a 3D ceiling. Compelled to create a representation of a “sunny forests and natural environments within an inner-city building”, the salon is divided into three sections: an entrance with a cash desk and waiting area, a colouring area with washing stands and massage chairs, and a cutting area.

Photography by Yoshiro Masuda.

MERICAN Barbershop in Hyogo, Japan by Reiichi Ikeda // MERICAN Barbershop by Reiichi Ikeda feels open, raw, robust and tough, just as one would expect from a Barbershop, no? Except – although this space makes sense and feels familiar – something about it appears fresh and new. Perhaps it is the contrast of the classic barbers chairs within a highly contemporary, industrial setting. The tension between the high-brow and low-brow just works man.

Photography by Pavel Chaunin.

Beauty Salon Numero Uno in Almaaty, Kazakhstan by MEL // This beauty salon almost didn’t make the cut, but the fact it’s in Kazakhstan made me reconsider my decision. How often do we get to feature projects from Kazakhstan? Precisely, like, never. So there – we’ve fixed that wrong today too.

Photography by Yoshiro Masuda.

Vinyl’s Mix Hair Salon in Osaka by SIDES CORE // SIDES CORE designed a hair salon which houses the owner’s books, art and music collection within it. Raw materials were used throughout the salon to give the space an “unfinished” feel.  A library room, located towards the back of the salon, features a floor-to-ceiling shelves made from plywood used to store books and records.

Photography by Ross Honeysett.

Roji Salon inside Hotel Hotel in Canberra, Australia by Craig Tan Architects // Evoking a journey of renewal, the Roji Salon, designed by Craig Tan Architects, is a compact boutique salon set within Hotel Hotel in Canberra. Embracing the metaphor of the traditional ‘roji’ path leading to the teahouse in the Japanese tea ceremony, which marks the separation between the everyday world and the retreat, this design celebrates the sense of retreat and renewal associated with the salon ritual. The ‘Roji’ concept was subsequently adopted by the Client as the salon identity. Mirroring the use of organic and sustainable hair products in the salon, the material palette of the salon is predominantly timber and cork, with sustainable water based stains.

Photography by Yoshiro Masuda.

Reine Nail Salon by Reiichi Ikeda // Once again we see a lovely contrast at play in a yet another killer salon designed by Reiichi Ikeda. A robust concrete shell is animated with ornate pieces of furniture and joinery, creating a tension between the existing and the new. Except – the new is the old-looking in this case, and there in lies the head-f*ck. Brilliant.

Photography by Onnis Luque.

Barberia Royal in Mexico City by ROW Studio // I have to be honest – this interior freaks the $hit out of me. Yet, something about it is so captivating and romantic, and that could very well be the fact I see an old barber man facing the camera, wearing his little white coat. Gets me every time.

Barberia Royal faces the famous Paseo de la Reforma ceremonial boulevard that runs diagonally across the heart of Mexico City. This seriously decadent barber shop, designed by ROW Studio, features a faceted ceiling clad in laser-cut highly-polished metal that mirrors and distorts the entire space. The layout of the store is divided in two distinct parts. The first one features a waiting area with a fully stocked courtesy bar, comfortable leather stools, sofas and a small display cabinet selling the best grooming products. Decorative highlights include a real life bison head that overlooks the bar (seriously – is that $hit necessary!), and a restored vintage Triumph motorcycle. Get it? This is a place for boys, so they had to go and make it super obvious.

Images courtesy of S5 Design.

Barber Shop in Wuxi, China by S5 Design // Hexagonal black and white mosaics, stainless-steel clad walls, brass accents and large circular mirrors are the defining features of this bling barber shop in Wuxi, China. The salon, which was created by S5 Design, uses a palette of luxurious dark textures and colours that create a moody, punk-edge interior. Ok, so this place also completely freaks me out, but look – I’m not the target market here, so what would I know.

Photography by Akihiro Yoshida.

3/30 Design Collection and Service Offering for Takara Belmont by nendo // And now for something completely different… 3/30 is a collection proposed as a corporate branding plan by Nendo for Takara Belmont. The company specialises in hair-related equipment and cosmetic products, as well as salon consultation. 3/30 refers to the process of dividing hair maintenance into three areas: hair cut, hair colouring, and hair treatment. The premise is to offer clients a a quality service in a reasonable length of 30 minutes, where customers pressed for time can visit the stores with no fuss every 3 weeks.

The space, equipment and cosmetics were all holistically designed to match the new service offering. The first feature is a compact 1.8sqm sized cubicle that enables the beautician to offer a mono-functional service to each customer. The units were designed with an intention to be installed in the corner of hair salons, or inside a train station or a shopping mall. Steel frames were used to create a floating sensibility  and enable the structure to blend in with any type of space.