The bold colours and geometric shapes used throughout this hair salon in Melbourne are based on the works of postmodernist designer Ettore Sottsass.

The Hues Hair salon is located in the Melbourne suburb of Richmond in an area densely populated with other hairdressers.

Keen to make it to stand out from the competition, architect Adriana Hanna looked to designers and artists such as Jeppe Hein, Ettore Sottsass and Emily Floyd for cues.

"The salon is situated in an area saturated with competitors and so the design is also concerned with creating a memorable space," she said.

"The underlying intention of the planning and organisation of the spaces was to diverge from the predictable hair salon typology, which typically organises clients in a row facing a wall."

Colour plays a key role in defining zones within the space, and Hanna drew upon Sottsass' ideas on the topic colour – particularly his view that it "can arise and be in harmony with the imperatives of structure, without destroying it".

The tops of the walls were painted a dusty pink colour, while the floor and dados are coloured in a bold green.

Although keen to create an out-of-the-ordinary space, the architect wanted to retain a high level of privacy for the clients.

Hair-washing stations are contained inside discreet alcoves, and the main cutting area is divided in two by a pair of geometric structures.

"This arrangement made it possible to preserve the spatial fluidity of the open plan layout and also define specific areas," said Hanna.

Striking furniture pieces, including Paola Navone's Eumenes chairs, are intended to contrast with the "austere" surroundings.

Other unusual salon interiors include a forest-like parlour where birch trees are wedged between the floor and ceiling, and a hairdressers divided by diamond-shaped partitions.