Black and white, shadow and light, concrete and wood, corten and stucco. The interior of the Sebastian Hubert Studio hair salon is full of contrasts and design. We talk about inspiration, the power of color and design work with architect Aleksandra Byryczek of {tag:pracownie}.
Upon crossing the threshold of a Krakow hair salon, we are enveloped by acasamite black from which light gently emerges. Designer elements catch the eye: a Starck squeezebox, an Oskar Zięta mirror, sneakers and a Roman bust. From the shaded area we enter the main white studio space. The backdrop for the details of the entire interior is a chocolate floor made of natural wooden planks arranged in French fir.
The main studio space is kept in white
Photo: Ida Szewczyk © Rhino Home
Dobrawa Bies: Sebastian Hubert Studio is different from typical (white or glamour version) hair salons. Was it easy to convince investors for such a bold design?
Aleksandra Byrczek: I start every project by getting to know the client thoroughly and how open they are to breaking stereotypes and looking deep into their own aesthetics. I have to admit that the investor gave me a very high level of trust. There were no problems in convincing him of the proposed solutions. Personally, I don't think this project is daring, while I will agree that it breaks out of the repetitiveness and blandness that we see in most hair salons every day. It is certainly a unique project, created to suit the investor's individuality.
Design icons, such as Oskar Zięta's mirror, are an important part of the decor.
Photo: Ida Szewczyk © Rhino Home
Dobrawa: What did the investor expect and what were the design assumptions and inspirations?
Aleksandra Byrczek: The investor was very keen on keeping the concrete horizontal partition in the project raw, he also wanted the corten rust to find its place in this space. The inspiration for this project came from the stages of a hairdresser's work, making the interior a stage for the owner's creations and talent. Each part of this space has its own task. The materials used - wood, corten, concrete are a nod to natural structures. The colors of the walls distinguish individual spaces, create an atmosphere during the meeting between the client and Sebastian - the host of the salon. Berry black at the entrance, by the car wash and coffee table is designed to put guests in a state of calm and relaxation. The white in the main room with barber chairs becomes a symbol of a blank canvas, a free space to create colors and forms on clients' hair. The culmination of the whole is the wall stucco.
The pink bathroom is a cheerful accent to the salon
Photo credit: Ida Szewczyk © Rhino Home
Dobrawa: One of the most important elements that build up the interior, is the contrast of black and white and desirable objects. Where did this decision come from?
Aleksandra Byrczek: The contrast creates an unusual energy in this space. The pink box-bathroom is a cheerful touch and a smile in the customers' direction. Black has become a shade of white, which illuminates the main creative process in the hair salon. Design icons such as Starck 's juice squeezer and Oskar Zięta's furniture, SMEG' s beverage refrigerator show the investor's soul and love of fine art.
projection of a hair salon
Photo: Ida Szewczyk © Rhino Home
Dobrawa: Does the design of salon spaces, such as this one, follow different rules than the design of apartment interiors? Which is easier?
Aleksandra Byrczek: It very much depends on the investor, he has a great influence on how the creation process goes. The ease of design is determined by the common denominator of the client and the interior designer. In this case, working on the project was a great pleasure. Trust went hand in hand with functionality, art and creation.
Dobrawa: Thank you for the interview!
Dobrawa Bies
