Island: A Green Oasis in Urban Hair Salons

Designers Jacksam Yang and Steven Kuo Reimagine Hair Salon Spaces

Jacksam Yang and Steven Kuo drew inspiration from the serenity of nature. They envisioned a space where "birds sing, water flows, wood and plants release the fragrance of nature." This vision led to the creation of Island, a hair salon that stands out from its counterparts through its reinterpretation of spatial concepts.

Island is housed in a 40-year-old building with a size of 165 square meters. The designers chose not to use fancy decorations for the renovation. Instead, they planted a large amount of green foliage and used decorative logs as divider screens to create a simple and clear flow. This approach resulted in a space that breathes new life and trends into the salon industry.

The designers used recycled decorative logs to partition the space, enhancing its flow and brightness. They also replaced energy-consuming and difficult-to-maintain mechanical irrigation with a gravity-powered watering system. This system fills the space with the soothing sound of dripping water, further enhancing the salon's natural ambiance.

Island's design is not just about aesthetics. It also introduces a new form of design theory that incorporates nature elements into urban spaces using the principle of simplicity. The designers faced the challenge of moving the scene of dense tropical greenery and climbing plants into the interior space. They overcame this challenge by tying and wrapping the decorative logs with cotton and linen fabric, allowing water to be evenly distributed to the logs and the climbing plants to absorb water evenly.

The project, which started and finished in November and December 2019 respectively, in Taipei, has been lauded for its innovative and sustainable design. The designers' efforts to bring the tranquility of nature into an urban setting have not only won them the prestigious Silver A' Design Award but also redefined the concept of hair salon spaces.