Equip Beauty Salon · Osaka, Japan
- Location
- Japan
- Words
- Anna Dorothea Ker
The salon was designed in 2015 by Sides Core, an Osaka-based interdisciplinary design studio led by Sohei and Sumiko Arao. Following the motto “seeking the essence of things”, Sides Core took a minimalist approach to fitting out the salon. “First, we looked [for] a small property in a quiet neighborhood, where guests would feel the most welcome,” explained Soehi Arao.
“First, we looked [for] a small property in a quiet neighborhood, where guests would feel the most welcome.”Once the location had been settled upon, the creation of a spacious, open-flow feel became top priority. Optimizing the high ceiling framework, the designers stripped back the interior to create a peaceful white backdrop to the single salon station, framed by raw concrete pillars. Oak structures divide the space into three: a waiting area at the front, equipped with a Take! Bamboo Chair by Snow Peak, a cutting station opposite a work space in the middle, and a washing basin at the back.
“The owner chose to only have one guest at a time to make sure that they can have time.”At the salon station, a large circular mirror is complemented by a triangular pendant light – designed by Sides Core – to complete the calm atmosphere, at once timeless and adaptable. “The owner chose to only have one guest at a time to make sure that they can have time without having to concentrate on other people,” said Arao. Along the wall opposite the station, a warm chestnut-colored, pegboard storage unit and desk serve as a flexible office space, completed with a chair by Vitra (the Tip Ton, in yellow.) “Perforated board has a function that allows the owner to be able to change the shop’s atmosphere,” said Arao in a recent interview. “I also wanted to create contrast with the concrete texture of the building frame.”
“The reflection of the wall surface, ever-changing with the seasons and the taste of the owner and his diverse interests, will become the face of the salon,” continues the designer. Running in parallel to the salon’s guiding philosophy are the principles of mountain climbing, the great passion of Equip’s owner. According to Arao, “[he] told us that part of the appeal with climbing a mountain is that you never really know what will happen until you get there, and how soothing it is to experience something new every time.”
“The reflection of the wall surface, ever-changing with the seasons and the taste of the owner and his diverse interests, will become the face of the salon."
All images © Yoshiro Masuda
