FUYU Salon, a project by FATHOM, entails the renovation of a former retro hair salon located on the second floor of a building in Hiroshima City. Situated in a narrow alley off Hondori Avenue, the salon aims to break away from conventional design norms and offer visitors a unique spatial experience.
Conceptual Inspiration
The salon’s name, derived from the owner’s first and last name, embodies a departure from the mundane. Inspired by this concept, the design team envisioned FUYU as an opportunity to transcend traditional salon aesthetics and create a space that challenges perceptions.
Spatial Transformation
With a floor area of fewer than 10 tsubos, the challenge was to maximize the perceived spaciousness of the salon. By strategically positioning functional elements away from the walls and treating them as furniture pieces, the space takes on an art-gallery-like ambiance, blurring the lines between architecture and art.
Artistic Integration
Central to the salon’s design is a silkscreen art piece titled “Hair,” inspired by Kohei Nawa’s work. This artwork, combined with carefully selected furniture, imbues the space with a sense of creativity and fluidity, reminiscent of a gallery rather than a traditional salon.
Design Details
The reception counter and benches, crafted in an L-shape, create a sense of continuity and fluidity within the space. Rattan screens, placed strategically to separate cutting booths, integrate mirror and counter functions seamlessly while adding depth to the salon.
Spatial Illusions
Transparent acrylic boxes for towel storage and ceiling-suspended air conditioners further contribute to the salon’s ethereal atmosphere. By separating infrastructure from the building frame and utilizing mirrored surfaces, the entrance is transformed into a surreal space-time tunnel, inviting visitors into an otherworldly experience.
In essence, FUYU Salon by FATHOM represents a departure from conventional salon design, offering visitors a transcendent journey through art, architecture, and imagination.
