Cocoon Nail Salon: A New Life in Design

Qingfan Zhang and Bo Zhang's Award-Winning Design Project

The Cocoon Nail Salon, a project that covers a total of 64.4 square meters, was inspired by the silkworm's metamorphosis. The designers, Qingfan Zhang and Bo Zhang, drew inspiration from their preference for materials such as glass tiles, metal mesh, and grille, which filter light effectively. They aimed to use each material to its maximum value, creating an environment that is as comfortable as it is aesthetically pleasing.

The nail salon's design is unique in its approach to space. The designers created multiple private spaces within the public area, akin to silkworm pupae. These spaces allow customers to enjoy their services in a quiet environment, providing a sense of respect and protection. The salon's furniture and accessories were chosen to enhance this comfortable experience, rather than limit or hamper the customers' enjoyment.

The salon's realization required a careful and innovative approach to material use. The designers used a process of rubbing and spreading out wrinkles during the wrapping process, creating a soft luster and surface texture reminiscent of a silkworm cocoon. This texture was then pasted onto the steel frame of the independent compartments, providing users with a fresh and unique experience.

Technical specifications were also a crucial aspect of the design. The designers chose a metal cloth with an aperture less than PM 2.5, due to its fabric-like appearance and the fact that it could reach a size of 400 mesh or higher. This choice was made despite the stringent fire requirements and low-cost construction constraints, demonstrating the designers' commitment to transparency and luxury.

The Cocoon Nail Salon project began in April 2017 in Beijing and was completed in May 2018. The design was based on extensive research, with the designers aiming to create soft, small boxes within the square site that were independent of the limitations of the shopping center. The goal was to transform the neatness, stylization, and industrialization of underground shopping malls into a more organic and comfortable environment.

The Cocoon Nail Salon design project was awarded Silver in the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2019. The award recognized the project's outstanding expertise and innovation, as well as its strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill. The design was praised for its balance of rationality and perception, creating an aesthetic order and sense of balance that is truly unique.