studio velocity: little one room house with a curve

‘little one-room house with a curve’ by studio velocity in nagoya city, japan all images courtesy studio velocity

‘little one-room house with a curve’ by japanese architects studio velocity is a 41 m2 hair salon in nagoya city. placed on an elongated site measuring 9 m by 20 m, the design explores multiple curvatures in its form to achieve a continuous space that gradually changes as one walks though it.

view from above

one of the primary concerns with building on such a small plot was to avoid designing a structure that ‘disappeared’ from the more dominant scale of the surrounding houses. by adopting an unconventional form to the single-storey shop, the project was given an individual identity that secured its presence in the neighbourhood.

street view

making the most out the narrow site, a small parking area for 2 cars is reserved near the front of the plot. to accommodate this, the tapered end of the building starts near the street and gradually widens in both its width and height as it nears the rear of the ground. an outdoor garden is nestled in the curve of the design, creating a private space of reflection that can be viewed from inside the shop. concealed behind the building is a washing space which provides a place for hanging laundry.

outdoor garden

in designing the specific curve of the salon, an extensive study of the overall balance of the interior space was conducted to maintain an effortless view throughout the salon. defined in sections, the entrance leads into a small waiting room and reception that leads to the cup and shampoo space. a long hallway is rhythmically pierced with small windows to the garden, providing ample daylight into the interior. in addition, a large skylight at the height of the vertical curve washes down the ceiling and surfaces above the work area.

entrance

view of salon space

curved hallway

views of reception space

site

program placement on site

floor plan

longitudinal section

process diagram