ARKHE beauty salon in Chiba, Japan by Moriyuki Ochiai Architects

Article source: Moriyuki Ochiai Architects

We designed a beauty salon named ARKHE (refers to the ancient belief that water is the source of all creation) around the theme of water.

This is a space made up by the charm of its raw materials, thus, by using aluminum and bringing out the beauty of the material we bring into existence a space filled with transient and ever-changing light, like the reflection of light on the surface of water.
Recycled aluminum sheet was used to express the flow of water and hair, reflecting the airily soft light, like sparkling light on water’s surface, and filling the space with elegant and sensual curves.

Image Courtesy © Atsushi Ishida, full view(night time)

• Architects: Moriyuki Ochiai Architects
• Project: ARKHE beauty salon
• Location: Chiba, Japan
• Photography: Atsushi Ishida
• Client: ARKHE beauty salon
• Use: beauty salon
• Area: 120sqm
• Ceiling: recycled aluminum sheet,skeleton AEP,painted board
• Floor: plastic tile
• Wall: painted drywall, grass, mirror

Image Courtesy © Atsushi Ishida, full view(day time)

Awards

iF Design Award  “Gold Award” (Germany )

INTERIOR DESIGN Best of Year Awards 2011 “Best of Year  1st prize” ( USA )

SBID(Society of British Interior Design) International Award “Best Commercial Space  1st prize” (UK)

red dot design award  (Germany)

International Architecture Awards Shortlist (USA)

Design for Asia Awards  “Merit Award” (HongKong )

Modern Decoration International Media Award “Annual Commercial Space Award   1st prize “（China )

Japanese Society of Commercial Space Designers Award

Japan Display Design Association Award

Japan Sign Design Association Award

Japan Kids Design Association Award

Image Courtesy © Atsushi Ishida, haircutting area(day time):a gentle flow and a high ceiling

The walls are painted in a silver shade that mimics the glimmering reflection of light on the surface of water.

The aluminum’s flow changes freely while providing a function and atmosphere suited to each area:
a space with a gentle flow and a high ceiling for the haircutting area;
a space with a stiff current and changes in height difference for the center aisle area and a space with a low ceiling for the waiting area.

Image Courtesy © Atsushi Ishida, haircutting area(night time):a gentle flow and a high ceiling

This allows to minutely perceive the changes in light throughout the day(from bright white during the day to more emotional blue and purple hues by night),according to the viewer’s location and the passage of time, as well as to experience a space with transient and diverse atmospheres.

Water is the source of all life, and this space projects an image of clarity as a beauty salon in pursuit of the origin of beauty.

Image Courtesy © Atsushi Ishida, center aisle area: a stiff current and changes in height difference

Sustainable Aspects 

Moreover, since they give the space its singularity, we adapted the assembly method of the aluminum ceiling parts so as to be able to disassemble and reinstall them when moving the business to a different location. In doing so, we devised a way to effectively reduce the costs of moving

Image Courtesy © Atsushi Ishida, full view(night time)

Image Courtesy © Atsushi Ishida, view shampoo room from haircutting area

Image Courtesy © Atsushi Ishida, shampoo room

Image Courtesy © Atsushi Ishida, detail of aluminum ceiling

Image Courtesy © Atsushi Ishida, detail of aluminum ceiling

Image Courtesy © Atsushi Ishida, detail of aluminum ceiling

Image Courtesy © Atsushi Ishida

Image Courtesy © Moriyuki Ochiai Architects

Tags: Chiba, Japan

Category: Salon

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 13th, 2013 at 7:04 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.