Urban Jungle: A Unique Beauty Salon Design

Bringing the Wild into the Urban Space

To make the Urban Jungle design stand out, Cheng Nan Chin and their team utilized wood grain and green plants to bring life to the bare concrete interior. The inclusion of a life-sized lion lamp and hanging greenery creates a hideaway vibe, blending a sense of the wild with clean modern lines. The space is thoughtfully arranged, with a T-shaped island seating area and tool storage cabinets designed to optimize natural light and customer privacy, ensuring a smooth workflow for hairdressers.

Technological considerations were also taken into account during the realization of the Urban Jungle design. Lotos plaster was used on the reception and bar counters to reduce working hours, while also providing water resistance to combat Taiwan's humid climate. The tasteful gray tone of the plaster creates a soothing atmosphere, enhancing the relaxation of customers. The warm wood grain acts as a balance between the rough gabion wall, exposed steel bars, and soft curved furniture, creating a harmonious visual experience.

The interaction within the Urban Jungle design is carefully crafted to enhance the overall experience. The removal of the ceiling layer reduces visual oppression, while hanging shelving with light fixtures and plants above the reception and seating area creates a calm ambiance. The see-through effect used to divide the spaces reinforces the independence of the T-shaped working area. Beveled corners on the reception counter and bookshelves maximize space, with mirrors installed on the beveled corners to expand the visual perception of the area.

The Urban Jungle design project began in September 2020 and was completed in November 2020 in Taoyuan. Extensive research was conducted to create a contrasting sense of stepping into the outdoors within the midtown second-floor space. The gabion wall, rusted steel bars, and stones form a remarkable visual highlight against the popular fresh and lighthearted store decor. The inclusion of natural wood, staghorn ferns, and various plants brings the rainforest atmosphere indoors, emphasizing the positive influence of natural elements and echoing the green urban theme.

Despite its challenges, the Urban Jungle design overcame creative, technical, and research obstacles. The mirrored window view was used to counteract the overwhelming presence of shop signs, creating an echoing visual effect. The combination of hanging light fixtures, plants, and hairdressing mirrors supported by only two points gives the illusion of suspension between seats, providing a see-through visual effect and making the space appear larger. The iron grid window next to the sofa area adds a sense of openness.

The Urban Jungle design by Cheng Nan Chin and their team has received recognition for its excellence. It was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in 2022 in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category. This prestigious award is given to well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. The Urban Jungle design stands out for its integration of industry best practices, competent technical characteristics, and its contribution to a better world.