Cataldo’s Woden Salon had to be state of the art in hairdressing salon design and reflects the excellence and standing achieved by the team at Cataldo’s Salon.
The design began with high expectations, a brief and a space which was a building shell. Out of a relatively small volume, the design was carefully sculptured to accommodate a multitude of physical and functional requirements of the salon. A palette of materials representing natures raw materials, in their most developed and advanced form, were utilised to create a composition comprising stone, timber, metal and glass. The design features colours based on white, chocolate and amber and finishes in aluminum, copper and chrome.
Expectations were high; to achieve the feeling of space and uncluttered clean lines within 95m2. The brief required ten cutting stations, four wash basins, a color mixing station, colour consultation area, coffee bar, reception, retail display, storage, a laundry, office and staff area. An imaginative, functional layout was developed within the spatial constraints resulting in a clear, articulated and ergonomic working environment.
Building volume allowed for the inclusion of a mezzanine, adding another dimension to the space. An innovative floor system was developed to fit within the tight room constraints. Floor material and structure was accommodated with less than 50mm. A wave shaped ceiling is featured forward of the mezzanine which is sculpted to transform the ceiling into an expression of movement and function, providing space for plant and equipment with fluted cutout areas for air-registers.
Cutting stations are proud of the main walls and expressed by perimeter back lighting which has the effect of the ‘canvas’ floating independent of the main walls. The surface of the ‘canvas’ wall is completely clad in colourback glass and mirrors in the one plane.
The entry features a frameless glass door expressed within a large frame with a sculptured metal coating. A metallic finish also features in the counters of the central coffee bar and colour mixing station, expressing the free flowing shape and artistic forms.
Glowing backlit quartz stone panels are used as a feature in the entry foyer, the reception counter and rear wall, which enhance the perception of light, space and depth.
Lighting is an essential part of the character of the salon. Lighting is both functional and decorative. Specially designed wall lights are integrated on the ‘canvas’ wall of the cutting stations. Back lighting is used in conjunction with photographic images and the quartzes stone to heighten these features and bring them to life.
Cataldo’s salon is a space that enriches the experience for both the client and the staff. The final product has a crisp, articulated and unambiguous character which solves a multitude to complex architectural design problems within a confined space and strict cost parameters. It is a Salon that is state-of-the-art, unique and has achieved a high level of client and user satisfaction.
