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情熱を持ったオーナーが、「お客様にとって最後の美容師・美容室でありたい」という想いを込めて命名したヘアサロン。５年ほど前にデザインさせていただいたのだが、スタッフの成長と共に前店舗が手狭だと感じ、拡張移転することになった。

オーナーが新しい舞台として用意したテナント物件は、間口4.4ｍ×奥行28ｍという細長い空間であった。その間口の狭さを活かし、既存躯体ラインに沿って各スペースを素直に配置した。空間の長さを活かし、各スペースの距離感を保ちつつシームレスに繋いだ。また、出来る限り間仕切りを作らず、壁や天井・床を構成する新旧の素材を等価に扱うよう白く塗ることで抽象化し、ヒトとモノを顕在化するようにした。

スタイリングスペースはオーナーこだわりの場所であり、ミラー面に様々な機能的要素（置く・引っ掛ける・吊る等）を盛り込むことが求められた。そこで、機能性を限定することなく、フレキシブルで拡張可能な壁を作れないかと考えていった。具体的には建築的家具として立体格子をつくることにした。立体格子はジャングルジムのようなモノで、構造体のみで構成され、格子そのものには意味がない。しかし、照明やガラス板・フックなどを組み込むことで意味を持ちはじめる。例えば、ガラス板を置くことで、ディスプレイ用の棚となり、またお客様のためのテーブルとなったりする。この立体格子はスタッフたちが工夫を重ねることで変化していくだろう。

オーナーとの熱い打合せの日々は刺激的であった。打合せの中で計画が幾度となく変化していく。いつしかその変化を楽しむようになっていった。かくして、オーナーがスタッフやお客様に対する思いを伝えるための、ベースとなる空間ができた。ここからがまた変化のはじまりだ。

The name of this beauty salon was inspired by the owner’s passionate desire to turn it into a destination for “the last word in beauty”. Although the design was first completed about five years ago, the previous premises soon grew to feel a little cramped due to the rapidly expanding size of the team, which prompted the owner to move to a new and larger location.

The rented unit that the owner had prepared as the new platform for his venture was a slender, elongated space measuring 28m deep, with a frontage of 4.4m. Taking advantage of this narrow frontage, we configured each of the spaces in a straightforward manner by taking cues from the existing frame and contours of the property. In addition, by making efficient use of the length of the unit, we were able to maintain a certain distance between each space while connecting them seamlessly to each other. Keeping the number of partitions to an absolute minimum and painting the entire space white achieved a feeling of abstraction, as well as a sense of giving equal importance to both the new and old materials that comprise the walls, ceilings, and floors. The result was an interior that gave pride of place to the people and objects within it.

The styling space is where the owner’s particular obsessions and passions came to the fore. He requested that we incorporate various functional elements into the mirrored surfaces (for storing or hanging objects). In response, we wondered if we could create flexible, extensible walls without imposing any limitations on their functionality. In concrete terms, our solution involved building three-dimensional lattice screens resembling parts of a jungle gym that function as architectural pieces of furniture. These screens were created using only a structural framework, with no particular significance attached to the form of the lattice itself. When lighting fixtures, glass panels, hooks and other objects are attached, however, the lattice begins to take on a new dimension. Affixing glass panels turns them into display shelves, or tables for the use of customers. Just imagine the transformations that these lattice screens will undergo, thanks to the multiple efforts and innovations of the staff…

Our heated, passionate discussions with the owner gave us real food for thought. Over the course of many meetings, our plans and designs continued to evolve and change repeatedly. Before long, we found ourselves starting to enjoy the progress of these changes. Thus was born a space that would serve as a base for the owner and his team to communicate their ideas and thoughts to their clients, promising the start of a new phase in its evolution and growth.