A house-shaped shop window frames the interior of this renovated beauty salon in Osaka Prefecture by Japanese office Tsubasa Iwahashi Architects.

Located in the town of Sakai, the Folm Arts beauty salon is designed by Tsubasa Iwahashi to fit in with the surrounding houses. "I wanted to express the close connection of the town and shop," says the architect.

A chunky wooden frame surrounds the house-shaped glazing, creating the only interruption to an otherwise monolithic facade.

The interior of the salon is divided into two halves, both with clean white walls and pale timber furnishings. A reception desk is positioned at the front, while styling stations line the side wall and a private styling area is tucked away at the back.

Arched mirrors are mounted to the walls and sit proud of the surface.

Other salons to recently complete in Japan include one with a timber lattice along one wall and one with birch trees wedged between the floor and ceiling.

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Photography is by Yoshiro Masuda.

Read on more a more detailed description from the architects:

Folm arts - Beauty salon

If there is a form of the ideal to the shop, it may be to blend naturally as part of the town. It is that, rather than the sign-lit brilliantly, to continue to be as existence is connected to the people indeed.

This is a renovation of the beauty salon during the ten years have passed since the time along with the town from opening. There was a figure of the shop owner exchanging greetings friends with people of the town who went through the shop front. The figure already seemed to be a part of town. It is a renewal of the shop for 10th year.

The frame of house type reflecting the image of intimate connection with the town provided in the facade of the shop, are beginning to become the icon of the town. While leaving partially, what he continued to use it carefully for many years, we have reconstructed a new space in the shop. In the shop front, the shop owner exchanging greetings with people of the town and is watering trees, as usual. Through the frame of the house type of tunnel shape, connection with the town and the shop, has been practiced in the storefront today.

Overall Excellence *

I thought through the facade of the shop, I wanted to express a close connection of the town and shop. I have decided towards the town, and to have the facade of the shop the opening of the house type. When seen from the street, state of the shop is a glimpse into the frame over the house type. From the shop, view of the street is cut off by the frame of the house type, you can feel the appearance of the street to go move from moment to moment.

The shop and the town, are connected with each other deeply through the frame. And from now, the shop will continue piled up time as part of the town even more

Use of Technology *

The frame type of house that was built in the tunnel shape, is summarising various functions to one. An entrance door, the blind of the measure against the afternoon sun in the evening, the space of a waiting and a bookshelf, and planting, lighting...

Various elements are connected to one and the facade is constituted. It has succeeded in enabling simple composition and excluding an excessive element by collecting various functions to one.

Impact in Asia *

I believe images with shapes that reminiscent the universal, to function as a common language beyond the language. I think from children to the elderly, regardless of country, language of common give people the impression of a uniform. In addition, the effect, I believe is in Asia with similar climate, culture and distance, I can expect even more.

The frame of the house type cited the shape of a house, as reminiscent of an intimate relationship like a family, it was adopted. As an icon of the town, the shop will be rooted in the town in the future.

Commercial and Societal Success *

People of the town which memorises feeling of a certain kind on a house type frame, and it newly visits. People who point out the facade of a beauty salon and talk. People who wait for people. The passerby who parks and observes a car. Gradually, the beauty salon is beginning to function as an icon of a town. From now on, various dramas will start at the store.

One year, three years, and ten years after. The role of a new store has started as a part of town.

Location: Sakai, Osaka, Japan
Completion: Apr. 2013
Floor Area: 55 sqm