Lumiere: A Hair Salon That Shines with Light

Transforming a Convenience Store into a Unique Beauty Space

Lumiere stands out as a hair salon that occupies a renovated space once used as a Japanese convenience store. The design team, led by Tetsuya Matsumoto, aimed to minimize production costs while maximizing impact. To achieve this, minimal interventions were made, and additional walls were constructed using raw OSB boards, without any finishing touches. However, the central wall, visible from both inside and outside, features a stunning art installation created using 120,000 golden pins meticulously pushed into the OSB board. This installation interacts with natural light during the day and artificial lighting at night, creating a captivating and ever-changing visual experience for viewers.

Utilizing cost-effective materials, Lumiere showcases the beauty of simplicity. The walls and ceiling are finished with raw OSB boards, while the floor is adorned with vinyl tiles featuring an OSB pattern. This harmonious combination of materials creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfectly complementing the salon's aesthetic. The art installation, with its golden pins, adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the space.

With a gross built area of 160 square meters, Lumiere offers a carefully curated layout. The entrance leads directly to a register and reception counter, maintaining the convenience store's original opening. The central wall houses four hair set stations on each side, while four shampoo stations are accessible from both sides. Further inside, two aesthetic rooms, a private room, and a washroom are arranged, ensuring a seamless and comfortable experience for clients. Additionally, a kid's space is thoughtfully incorporated on the reception side, catering to the needs of families.

The Lumiere project commenced in October 2020, with construction starting in February 2021. By March 2021, the transformation from a convenience store to a hair salon was complete. Located in Himeji City, Japan, Lumiere stands as a testament to the power of design to breathe new life into existing spaces.

Tetsuya Matsumoto and his team overcame several challenges during the design process. The primary obstacle was to materialize the concept of light within a limited budget while ensuring its visibility and appeal both inside and outside the salon. Additionally, the team had to carefully consider the shape, position, and balance of the golden pins for the art installation, creating a visually striking effect. The execution of this intricate installation required meticulous attention to detail during construction.

Lumiere's unique design has garnered recognition in the design world. In 2022, it was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category. This prestigious accolade celebrates designs that exhibit outstanding creativity and resourcefulness, incorporating best practices in art, science, design, and technology. Lumiere's innovative approach to incorporating light and reflection into a hair salon has truly made it a standout in the industry.

Lumiere is not just a hair salon; it is an immersive experience that celebrates the interplay of light and design. Tetsuya Matsumoto's vision has transformed a conventional space into a captivating beauty haven, where clients can indulge in the artistry of hair aesthetics while basking in the glow of Lumiere's radiant atmosphere.