Cheah Saw Architecture left the shell intact, including the large north-facing picture windows to the lane-like street, but looked at how the space could go beyond the traditional hairdressing salon model of chairs and mirrors simply lined up against a wall.

The solution took the form of six independent column-like units, each one on moveable castors and clad in mirrors either side.

This allows the columns to be completely moved to one side of the salon for teaching purposes, small functions or even for a number of configurations that allow clients not to be seated too closely to each other.

“We designed this space to ‘sculpt’ the experiences of both visitors and staff.

There are moments of both privacy and being on show,” says Cheah.

One of the starting points for both Cheah and Saw was looking at the work of hairdresser Raymond Besson, who trained with Vidal Sassoon in London, had his own television show and was responsible for introducing the modern bouffant in the 1960s.

“We also wanted to make this salon an experience for clients,” says Saw, pointing out the stepped and sculptural ceiling that has a distinct resemblance although not intentional to the Capitol Theatre, designed by Walter Burley Griffith and Marion Mahony.

The idea for the ceiling at the hairdressing salon was driven by a lack of storage and a need to elevate as much of this above ground level to free up the floor space.

Supported from the ceiling, each of the lower sculptural forms contains an individual cupboard.

The indentations above allow the ceiling to create a series of more intimate spaces below, whether for the basins for washing hair, or the modest waiting nook immediately inside the front door.

“With a limited budget and a tight space, the joinery became pivotal to the design.

There’s a place for everything,” says Cheah, opening up the rear cupboards to reveal a washing machine and dryer.

Other areas such as the stainless steel bench, also had to be as slim and minimal as possible.

Pigeon holes above this bench contain a myriad of hair dye colours, a specialty of this salon.

To accentuate the size of the space, the architects used a limited palette of colours for the fixtures and fittings.

Black upholstery, slate grey walls and dark charcoal epoxy floors allow the space to feel considerably larger, with the mirrors on either side of the workstation columns reflecting light as well as extending sight lines.

Although the customised joinery was initially intended to be made off site once the joiner started the project, it was found to be more efficient to sculpt the ceiling as one rather than create individual units for each storage unit.

“We started with the mirrors, as these are key to any hairdressing salon.

After all, it’s about creating a sense of theatre, an experience for both staff and clients,” says Saw, who, with Cheah, enjoys pushing architectural boundaries, whether it’s for commercial or domestic projects.

“The way it’s come together has also opened up the way the staff work,” adds Saw.