Jury comment
A sensitive response to the client’s brief and brand evolution has delivered an elegant and timeless salon. The designer has skilfully manipulated the existing spatial volume through the introduction of a mezzanine, demonstrating a thorough understanding of classic design principles. This, coupled with a sensitive approach to lighting, has established discrete spaces for clientele to experience each salon process in private, while remaining connected to adjacent spaces. Refined detailing and craftsmanship complete the balanced proportion of elements and further reinforce the sophistication, care and quality of the services offered.
Design statement
The brief for this project required relocating an iconic hair salon from a two-hundred-and-twenty-square-metre tenancy to a seventy-square-metre warehouse, and creating an intimate, boutique salon experience without sacrificing form or function. With limited space to work with, the designers incorporated a mezzanine structure that cantilevered over the main salon space. Having spent time investigating the practical requirements of a successful salon, the designers drew ideas from the traditional salon experience, where each new process took place in a separate area: the cutting floor, the colour salon and the washroom. The cutting floor became a minimal gallery-style space, taking full advantage of the double-height ceilings. Each station is zoned and framed by black metal units that conceal equipment and power supply. The timber-clad washroom has dim lighting and soft music and encourages relaxation. The colour salon on the first-floor mezzanine allows clients to relax and unwind as their hair colour processes. The designers retained the existing heritage roof trusses to purposefully contrast with the sleek fitout below, and also left structural steel exposed, adding a modern touch to the heritage surrounds.
The Retail Design award is supported by Laminex. The Australian Interior Design Awards are presented by the Design Institute of Australia, DesignEX and Artichoke magazine. For more images of this project, see the Australian Interior Design Awards gallery.
