A topography of mini-monoliths defines the new Dean Gera salon at The Embassy in Valletta. Solid timber volumes structure the space, leading users incrementally through moments of spatial discovery.
The design for the latest Dean Ger a salon – the brand’s second outlet in Valletta – strays from typical hairdresser interiors. Drawing on the geometry of city skylines, the space is sculpted through architec tural massing, creating a miniature me tropolis within an otherwise conventional plan.
The salon is divided into three zones – a reception space; a washing station with storage and bathrooms; and a main styling area. Birch plywood volumes cr adle these zones in clean, mono-material units, each of which holding display, storage, or hidden functional space. Product displays within the units are conceived as windows into the solid volumes, with mirrored shelving conve rting into kaleidoscopic planes – shifting and distorting as users move past them. Through a ‘deny’ and ‘rew ard’ approach, the plywood volumes direct users through the plan, presenting truncated views of the sal on’s enfilade-style rooms, until finally delivering users to the main styling area. An integr ated split level adds dimension to the route , which is unified throughout with custom made ARKdeko'® pink resin flooring.
In the styling area, full height mirrors contr ast the timber forms, fragmenting and expanding the space whilst bouncing light off their oversized sur faces. The uniformity of the plywood and flooring is disrupted by bold artwork in the reception and hair washing areas. The latter includes a typographic piece by Charlie Cauchi; the former a neon ar twork by Aaron Bezzina - both selec ted by Alexandra Pace / Blitz.
Project: Valentino Architects, Malta
Photo: Alex Attard
Flooring: ARKdeko'® Liquid flooring, custom color, matt
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