“Hair Focus” Hair Salon, C+ Architects

Architect in Charge: Cheng Yanchun
Design Team: Wang Yakun, Zhang Yaqiong, Wang Xi
Program: Store Remodel
Status: Completed
Location: Beijing, China
Dates: May-December 2014
Area: 135sqm
Photographs: Xia Zhi

“Hair Focus” Hair Salon is first project of C+ Architects in Beijing, China. The biggest challenge in this project is to create a modern haircutting space in 135 square meters with limited budget.

The Natural Formation of Spatial Composition
The plan of hair salon itself is irregular, in order to increase adaptability and maximize space utilization, three different functional volumes have been created. The elongated rectangular area in the middle is designed to be ancillary services space such as sterilization room and a large number of storage units, within a passage connect reception and hairdressing space.

With the Spatial Layer to Create Atmosphere
While studying abroad, the architect often went to the National Museum of Western Art in Ueno Park, Tokyo. One of paintings that always attracted him was “Interior with Ida Playing the Piano” by Danish artist Wilhelm Hammer.
“Through multiple lights and perspective, the whole picture expresses a tranquil atmosphere which let me indulge in the long imaginary piano sounds. Meanwhile, I wish Ida would turn around and come toward to me with a graceful smile.” says the architect.
And this hair salon is just an abstraction from the “everything for the moment she looks back” scene. Combined with the concept of progressive space composition, the architect grafted the idea of Spatial Layer on to the hair salon by installing several white sheer curtains, which not only form an independent haircut space, but also create an amusing undefined space.
A metal folding screen is placed right in the visual center of Spatial Layer to separate washing area from haircutting space. The modern material and clean lines made this furniture become a symbol of regeneration from the traditional aesthetics. After hair washing, customer steps out from the back of folding screen, walks through the sheer curtain layers just like the most important role of the entire space as a leading actor on stage.

Possibility of Every Inch of Space
After long-term studies of modern Japanese housing, the architect is familiar with increasing flexibility in use of small space and detail design. Sliding individual mirrors can be easily combined into a larger mirror wall according to different occasions.
In addition, a layer of glass panel is installed on the top of the hanging cabinets. It is effective to prevent personal belongings and cups under beneath from the falling hair. Besides, the background light diffused by the panel adds to the comfortable atmosphere.

A Wall With a View
The concept of façade is originated from hairbrush. Two rows of wood batten strips with narrow white cobblestones covered lane in between create a brand new view for the corridor of shopping mall, meanwhile half-obscured wall ensures the privacy of customer inside.