Seeing the light: Designer rethinks salon space

Japan – Architect Hiroyuki Miyake has designed the interior space for the Troove beauty salon in Gifu, Japan. The dimly lit space was created in response to the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, and questions the necessity of technology.

Many towns in Japan were devoid of power following the disaster and many had to work in darkness. ‘Although we felt negatively about darkness at first, we noticed it was enough to live,’ explains Miyake. ‘Our former use of light was too bright.’

The dark glow of the Troove salon is a stark contrast to the typical strip lighting of hair salons, offering consumers a more ambient and relaxing salon experience.

In the wake of the recession and natural disasters, more consumers are re-evaluating what matters to them. Read more in our New Sublimity macrotrend.