Vee Hair by Design
By Imagine Architecture
Project Description:
After viewing and investigating numerous properties with the client the tenancy at 9 Arko Place was selected. The building is located at the end of a cul-de-sac just off a main road. The building is part of a larger complex and is surrounded by a variety of commercial, industrial & retail structures. The 71m2 space was a typical drab office with standard surface mounted fluorescent lights, cable trunking everywhere and the dreariest vertical blinds. Positives for the space were its location, abundant car parking and simple structural make-up.
The concept mooted is that this salon is a destination rather than another shop among many. The owner is a multi-award winning hair stylist with a vision to create a place where her clients can escape the world and receive superior level service in a relaxing, sophisticated environment. The new salon needed to be a great place for the customers to be and a rewarding environment to Vee team to work. To achieve this major overhaul of the spaces and décor was required whilst at the same time successfully adhering to a tight budget and timeframe.
In addition to the design and décor the commission also involved working closely with the owner to develop the logo and branding. This allowed the opportunity to fully connect the design with the brand and have all aspects of the business respond to each other harmoniously rather than one dictating to the other.
Design Features and Creative Solution:
The plan solution revolves around the relationship of spaces to each other. The salon had to function just as well on quieter days as it would at hectic capacity. The cutting & styling stations were placed back to back in the middle of the room and then angled to optimise the actual working space for each stylist whilst allowing the chosen stations to be on display in their own right. The shampoo stations are positioned discreetly which also worked well with the existing plumbing arrangements.
The key planning idea was to deconstruct the hallway by punching view shafts through the wall via a combination of walk-through openings and look-through shelving. This departure from the traditional hallway configuration achieved a number of desired outcomes such as greater sense of space, excellent transition between zones and importantly the ability to monitor the operation of the salon anywhere in the building whilst still maintaining clarity and order. The site lines through these openings were carefully considered to achieve the desired result.
Developing the Vee brand using a black, gold & cream theme was enabled predominantly using paint and wallpaper. The black striped wallpaper was an excellent foil for the wall logo and custom designed lacquered MDF shelves. The cream walls create the calmness and the gold timber trim the bling. The hard wearing vinyl plank flooring bridges the black tone whilst providing a near bulletproof functional surface. Other key design elements included the energy efficient LED lighting, reception counter and waiting furniture.
Colours & Materials:
Wall & Ceiling paint: Resene Quarter Solitaire Y94 014 081
Accent trim paint: Resene Metallics – Gold Dust M69 066 078
Wallpaper: Resene Simply Silks II NS24916
Flooring: Karndean Opus – WP308 Carbo Wood
Products used in
Vee Hair by Design
Professionals used in
Vee Hair by Design
More projects from
Imagine Architecture
About the
Professional
Imagine Architecture (formally Imagine Building Design) is a multi-award winning architectural design practice that has been in business since 2002 with specialist expertise in Residential and Commercial design. Our practice has evolved through many iterations over the years. From starting in a shoebox home office, to growing into occupying historic premises at the Kings Building in New Plymouth, then to a sleek downtown high street practice. We have now gone back to our roots with small studio setups for Tony Biesiek out of Think Co in Tauranga and Steven Dixon in New Plymouth.
“Changing lives through great architecture & design”. That is the mission of Imagine Architecture. Since 2002, we have sought to infuse that mission into every project. Our designs are for high performance buildings that change lives. To achieve this, we combine aesthetics & energy efficiency with comfort & architectural appeal, function & use of space with quality interaction with the environment.
This approach is applied across all our projects irrespective of size or budget. We believe there is opportunity in every project to make better choices. This is accomplished thanks to better decision making to improve the quality of the space experienced by its occupants. Merely meeting minimum building code requirements is not enough. Exceeding minimums is the key to better buildings, be they new architectural homes or commercial structures. Optimum performance ahead of minimum compliance every time. Architecture with attitude!
Imagine Architecture aspires to uphold the Pritzker Architecture Prizewinner Glenn Murcutt’s ideal: ‘to touch the earth lightly’. This means we look at how nature has crafted the environment to this point in time, and form our design in relationship to that. For example, we have sculpted designs to the land, rather than the land to the design. Nature has brought us those spaces, so we strive to design structures to be harmonious with that nature. As custodians we seek to protect the environment through diligent stewardship and utilisation of the best high performance technology.
Our experience in over 1000 commissions to date is wide and diverse. In addition to servicing Bay of Plenty and Taranaki, we have commissions throughout New Zealand and have projects in Australia and Italy. In this modern age, geography is no barrier to delivering architectural excellence. The Imagine Architecture team's track record shows an ability to adapt quickly to client changes, government legislation and technical site situations. We have specialist experience in:
Residential homes and renovations
- Sustainable and Energy Efficient architecture
- Recreation & Parks facilities
- Apartments & Townhouses
- Mobility design and disabled access
- Retirement homes
- Gymnasia
- Schools & ECE
- Property development & investment units
- Industrial facilities
- Restaurant and retail design
- Shipping Container buildings
- Feasibility Studies
- Motels and Motor Lodges
Imagine Architecture promotes itself on the principle of “relationship marketing”. A large number of commissions come to Imagine Architecture by way of referrals from existing clients. This method of marketing reflects our philosophy of creating quality relationships with clients. This is achieved by friendly, clear and up front communication matched with a quality design service that meets the aesthetic, functional & financial requirements of the client.
Imagine Architecture is the experienced team to use if you are looking for innovative design that respects the environment, quality technical documentation, superior service through excellent communication.
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