archivision hirotani studio: fujitsubo beauty parlor

‘fujitsubo beauty parlor’ by archivision hirotani studio in tokyo, japan all images courtesy archivision hirotani studio

japanese practice archivision hirotani studio has completed ‘fujitsubo beauty parlor’, a two-storey salon in the omote-sando area of tokyo, japan. referencing the form of a sea barnacle, the design features three openings in the roof which funnels natural daylight into the interior space within.

exterior view

extruding on an irregularly-shaped plan, the building stands as a free-standing form with a strong visual identity of its own. the exterior surface is entirely clad in copper sheets that will slowly change in tone over time. the street face and entrance are made transparent through a floor-to-ceiling window that wraps around the eastern corner of the form. by blurring the junction of the structure, the small entry way gains an extended sense of space.

(left) facade finish (right) street view

finished singularly in a white surface, the interior maximizes on the natural daylight effect throughout the building. linear slits in the floor plate carry the light to the level below, maintaining a naturally illuminated space that encourages a sense of continuity. while the salon lacks conventional windows, the space preserves an airy atmosphere through the faceted ceiling form which visually pulls up the room in a dynamic and geometric manner. a new layer of dimension is added through the multitude of angles projecting at different directions.

south elevation