Excerpt: Alternative Hair Salon by PERMANENT is a renovation project in Nagoya designed under a limited budget, conceived as a flexible foundation for a stylist free from convention. The interior design reflects an individuality that is constantly shifting, using simple forms and raw materiality rather than fixed functions. The space acts as a base layer that supports experimentation, withstands change, and allows the salon to adapt and evolve over time.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] This project involves the renovation of a hair salon located in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, designed under a limited budget.
This space was designed for a stylist whose approach to hair is free from convention—shaped by a wide range of interests and a fearless attitude toward experimentation. We began by asking: what kind of environment best reflects such an evolving and expressive style?
We wanted the space to reflect his individuality and creativity—qualities that are not fixed but constantly shifting. The goal was to create a foundation: a space that supports, withstands, and even encourages transformation. A design that acts as a base layer, adaptable to change.
The interior is composed of elements not defined by fixed functions, but by their raw materiality and simple forms. These components exist individually, without explicit purpose, but when combined, they form a whole—like pieces of a puzzle coming together to fulfill specific needs.
A notable feature is the custom-built mirrors, which are movable and can be repositioned to suit various purposes, such as events. This flexibility allows the space to adapt to changing needs and activities, enhancing its versatility.
As new pieces are added by the stylist over time, the space continues to evolve. It is a foundation that invites growth and change—an ongoing process we look forward to seeing unfold.
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