”UNBIRTHDAY” is a hair salon that continues to expand around Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, and for its fourth salon, the theme of “blank space” was chosen as the concept for the space, based on the words “going back to basics” that emerged after a series of in-depth discussions with the owner.

Rather than placing the catchy design of the space as the main attraction, the salon was designed to be a stage centering on the customers and the beauticians, and a simple monotone color scheme was adopted to allow light to circulate easily and to create a sense of spaciousness. Materials such as plastering and floor tiles were carefully selected to avoid being decorative, allowing visitors to experience soft nuances. In contrast, the use of stainless steel and steel hardware and glass in appropriate places attempts to create a moderate sense of tension and cleanliness.

Active openings and lighting on the exterior surfaces create harmony with the landscape and spatial margins, and bold zoning, such as placing the shampoo stand in a position that allows natural light to enter, fulfills the owner’s desire to be connected to the environment and nature.