Kyoto hair salon Flux gets minimalist make-under

Concrete bar at Flux hair salon, designed by Sides Core in Kyoto, Japan — The concrete bar at Flux hair salon designed by Sides Core, in Kyoto, Japan.

(Image credit: Takumi Ota)

Osaka-based studio Sides Core cuts to the chase with Flux, a Kyoto hair salon that combines nostalgia with modernism.

Housed on the second floor of a former car showroom, designer Sohei Arao transformed the 148.5 sq m concrete enclave into an urban hairdressing refuge. The salon, founded by Kengo Nakamura, presents a theatrical concept to showcase staff’s hairdressing and styling skills in an immersive space, while also playing with perspective and perception.

In keeping with the parlour’s philosophy to create a ‘flowing’ yet inviting setting that exhibits talent, mirrors are suspended 1.5 m above the floor with only a small selection of key pieces filling cutting and styling areas, like Hans J Wegner’s Elbow chair and Jaime Hayón’s navy Piña seat.

Elsewhere, white draping curtains soften stark concrete silhouettes, enveloped by floor-to-ceiling windows that offer striking vistas of the cityscape. In harmony with its surroundings both in ethos and design, Flux’s intriguing use of depth, a characteristic of Kyoto’s architecture, prompts users to take a step through the looking glass – with the hair to match.

The minimalist, concrete beauty bar at Flux hair salon, designed by Sides Core

White drapes and mirrors at Flux hair salon, designed by Sides Core, in Kyoto, Japan

Exterior view of Flux hair salon, designed by Sides Core, in Kyoto, Japan

The shop floor of Flux hair salon, designed by Sides Core, in Kyoto, Japan

Mirror detail view of Flux hair salon, designed by Sides Core, in Kyoto, Japan

INFORMATION

For more information, visit the Sides Core website

ADDRESS

Sky House 2F
470 Zaimokucho, Nanajo-dori
Kyoto, Japan

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